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THE  OPPOSITE  HOUSE. 


THE  OPPOSITE 
HOUSE 


A    NOVEL 


FROM   THE   GERMAN    OF 

NATALY    VON    ESCHSTRUTH 

Author  of  "A  Priestess  of  Comedy,^*  "A  Princess  of  the 
Stage,"   "Her  Little  Highness;'  etc. 

TRANSLATED    BY 

MARY    J.    SAFFORD 


NEW      YORK      AND      LONDON 
STREET  &  SMITH,  PUBLISHERS 


Gspy  right,  1894 
By  Robert  Bonner's  Sons 

i,All  rights  reserved) 

The  Opposite  Hous* 


THE   OPPOSITE   HOUSE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


A     NIGHT     OF     STORM. 


DARKNESS  had  gathered  in  Frau  Gertrude's 
old-fashioned  chamber. 

The  rain  pattered  monotonotisly  against 
the  panes  of  the  lofty  window  and  trickled  in  heavy 
drops  down  to  the  sill.  The  flickering  light  of  the 
street  lamps  cast  an  uncertain  glimmer  upon  the 
ancient  mansion,  whose  stone  entrance-posts  had 
seen  numerous  generations  of  the  honored  family 
of  merchants  pass  in  and  out  of  the  vaulted  door- 
way. A  few  pedestrians  still  glided  past  in  the 
darkness  like  dim,  gray  shadows,  and  from  the  dis- 

[7  ] 


8  The  Opposite  House. 

-~ 

tant  main  street  echoed  the  dull  rumble  of  swiftly 
moving  vehicles. 

Gertrude's  eyes,  glittering  with  the  light  of  fever, 
were  fixed  steadily  upon  the  dark  oaken  door  ;  her 
restless  gaze  constantly  wandered  over  the  carved 
figures,  counting  the  interwoven  balls  and  flowers 
until  they  danced  confusedly  before  her,  and 
changed  into  all  the  strange  shapes  which  the  fan- 
tastic fingers  of  fever  can  paint. 

"  Not  yet — not  yet !"  she  moaned,  turning  her 
face,  whose  cheeks  glowed  with  an  ominous  flush, 
upon  the  cool  pillows.  "  Oh,  God,  why  dost  Thou 
inflict  this  pang  upon  my  dying  hour?" 

She  raised  herself  excitedly.  The  terrible  cough 
again  attacked  her  weak  chest,  making  her  gasp 
for  air  and  breath.  At  last  the  paroxysm  passed 
away. 

"  Go,  Gretlis,  go,"  she  whispered  faintly  ;  and  the 
old  servant  covered  her  tearful  eyes  with  her  hand, 
and  pleaded  : 

"  You  ought  not  to  be  alone,  Frau  Gertrude.  Let 
me  stay  until  he  comes  !" 

The  sick  woman  laughed  almost  bitterly. 

"  Until  he  comes  !  But  listen,  Gretlis.  Never 
desert  him,  whatever  happens.  Watch  over  him, 
guard  him,  be  a  second  mother  to  my  boy.  And 
over  yonder — you  know,  Gretlis,  the  house  with  the 
gray  escutcheon — say  nothing  to  him  about  it,  but 


The  Opposite  House. 


protect  him  and  don't  permit  him  to  continue  to 
hate.  Now  go — I  am  weary.  Pray — pray  for  my 
child!" 

Frau.  Gertrude  held  out  her  burning  hand ;  then 
her  fixed  gaze  followed  the  old  woman's  figure 
as  she  noiselessly  vanished  behind  the  dark 
door. 

The  old  clock  struck  eleven  dull  strokes  with  a 
creaking,  rattling  sound.  Just  at  that  moment  a 
carriage  rolled  along  the  street  and  stopped  below  ; 
laughing  voices  called  good-night  to  each  other 
noisily  ;  a  loud  knock  sounded  on  the  door  of  the 
house  ;  hasty  steps  sprang  up  the  stairs.  Some  one 
whispered  outside  with  old  Gretlis  ;  then  came  a 
low  exclamation  of  terror,  followed  by  silence.  The 
sick  woman's  eyes  rested  steadily  upon  the  folds  of 
the  curtain,  but  her  lips  quivered  and  her  fingers 
played  restlessly  with  the  fine  linen  sheets.  The 
door  opened  softly,  and  Frau  Gertrude's  son  entered 
the  room. 

The  young  man,  who  had  a  slender,  powerful 
figure  and  a  fine,  intelligent  face,  came  slowly  for- 
ward.    Gertrude  did  not  stir. 

"  Mother !"  he  cried  in  a  piercing  tone.  "  Mother  !" 

A  few  steps  brought  him  to  her  bedside,  where, 
throwing  himself  on  his  knees,  he  buried  his  face 
in  her  cold  hands.  A  strange  tremor  flitted  around 
the  dying  woman's  lips. 


lo  The  Opposite  House. 

"Where  were  you,  Traugott?  Gambling?  At 
the  green  table  ?" 

A  grave,  mute  glance  met  his.  Then  she  slowly 
drew  her  hand  from  his  clasp  and  turned  her  gray 
head  toward  the  wall,  bitter  tears  coursing  down 
her  grief-worn  cheeks. 

"Go!" 

"  Mother  !"  groaned  Traugott.  "  Mother,  forgive 
me !"  And  overwhelmed  by  terrible  agitation,  he 
threw  his  arms  around  her  neck  and  sobbed  like  a 
child.  "  Let  me  hold  and  kiss  your  hand.  Do  not 
shrink  from  me,  mother  !  By  Heaven,  I  do  not  de- 
serve it !  Whatever  I  may  have  done,  whatever 
sins  I  have  committed,  whatever  follies  have 
sprung  from  my  recklessness,  ray  heart  is  still  un- 
tainted. I  still  possess  a  large  fortune.  I  am  rich, 
and,  thank  Heaven,  I  am  also  young.  Oh,  mother, 
I  can  work,  and  if  hitherto  I  have  neglected  to  do 
so,  I  will  make  amends  doubly  for  the  lost  hours, 
the  wasted  years." 

He  again  fell  upon  his  knees  at  her  side,  and 
rested  his  head  on  her  clasped  hands. 

Gertrude  raised  her  dark  eyes  heavenward ;  her 
mute  gaze  wandered  through  the  parted  curtains  to 
the  sky,  where  the  moon  burst  through  the  torn 
clouds,  then  she  laid  her  trembling  hands  tenderly 
upon  her  son's  head. 

"  May  God  help  you,  my  boy  !     Be  noble  and  up- 


The   Opposite  House.  1 1 

riglit,  though  I  am  no  longer  with  you — can  no 
longer  guard  you  and  urge  you  by  my  words  to 
better  paths  !  Conquer  that  terrible  passion  whose 
demon  leads  to  destruction,  whose  end  is  darkness 
and  horror.  God  gave  you  a  good  heart,  my  son  ; 
keep  it  pure  and  noble.  Drop  gambling,  Traugott ; 
it  will  bring  you  to  ruin,  and  accursed  be  the  man 
who  does  not  hold  his  mother's  last  words  sacred  !" 
Her  tones  grew  fainter  and  more  hurried,  her 
gasping  breath  shorter,  and  when  the  pale  moon 
emerged  completely  from  behind  the  clouds  a  de- 
spairing son  was  kneeling  beside  the  death-bed  of 
the  mother,  whose  last  blessing  was  given  to  her 

wayward  child. 

*  *  *  *  -x-  * 

The  next  morning  strange  rumors  were  current 

in  the  ancient  capital.     Frau  Gertrude  Gerrald  was 

dead.     She  had  died,  not  suddenly,  not  slowly,  but 

after  years  of  wasting  grief  for  her  only  son,  yet  it 

was   an    event    discussed  everywhere   with   equal 

interest. 


The  officers'  casino  was  nearly  empty.  There 
were  only  two  members  of  a  cavalry  regiment 
seated  at  a  table. 

"  Have  you  heard  that  Frau  Gerrald  is  dead  ?" 
asked  Baron  Linden,  filling  his  companion's  glass  a 
second  time.     "  Now  a  gay  life  may  be  expected. 


12  The   Opposite  House. 

The  locks  of  the  chests  of  money  will  no  longer  be 
watched.  I  suppose  the  son  was  again  at  the  gam- 
ing-table yesterday?  They  say  he  did  not  arrive  in 
time  to  see  her  alive.  By  the  way,  I  expected  to 
meet  you  yesterday  at  the  Ch^nois's  rooms  ;  she  had 
a  reception." 

"I?     At  the  Chenois's?"  yawned  Horster. 

"  Yes,  you.  Rumor  says  that  for  some  time  you 
have  paid  homage  to  the  noble  art,  and  most  duti- 
fully attended  Heloise's  triumphal  chariot.  Some 
gossips  also  assert  that  the  flower-dealers  are  mak- 
ing big  profits  from  this  fancy.  Well,  is  the  news 
true?" 

The  other  quietly  uncorked  a  second  bottle  and 
let  the  sparkling  drops  run  slowly  into  his  glass. 

"  Of  course  it 's  true,"  he  said,  with  a  careless 
smile.  "  It 's  really  too  bad  for  me  to  be  obliged  to 
confess  it,  but,  entre  nous,  you  understand  me,  Lin- 
den. Why  shouldn't  the  fiery-eyed  Circe  bewitch 
me  as  well  as  everybody  else — the  many  hundreds 
who  have  not  half  my  advantages  ?  The  ballet,  my 
friend,  is  in  our  day  the  court  of  first  instance  to 
which  Ekkehard  and  Don  Juan  must  alike  pay  toll. 
I  almost  marvel  that  above  apple  and  cross  a  little 
gold  slipper  does  not  shine — a  slipper  composed  of 
all  the  names  which,  by  a  few  ejitreckats,  have  piti- 
lessly forced  crowned  heads  to  their  feet !  Prinz 
Lothar  is  never  absent_|rqm  the  Chenois's  recep- 


The  Opposite  Hotise.  13 

tions,  and,  it  is  said,  must  have  lavished  thousands 
to  press  upon  her  brow  a  glittering  coronal.  The 
most  absurd  thing  about  the  whole  matter  to  me, 
however,  is  that  his  highness  has  so  long  had  a  rival 
in  a  simple  miller — this  '  Prince  of  the  Mill,'  as  he 
is  called.  He  remains  at  her  feet  like  a  foolish  boy, 
bearing  her  numberless  caprices  with  a  patience 
worthy  of  a  better  cause.  Yes,  this  Heloise  is  a 
witch,  and  if  I,  who  am  no  fool,  allow  her  to  lead 
me  about  by  the  nose,  what  do  I  gain  by  it  ?  End- 
less vexations  !  Never  mind,"  he  yawned,  rising. 
"  Will  you  go  to  the  ring  with  me.  Linden  ?  Lieu- 
tenant von  Hiihn  is  going  to  ride  his  new  bay." 

"  No ;  I  have  a  visit  to  pay.  1  've  already  de- 
ferred it  three  weeks,"  replied  Linden,  slowly 
stroking  his  fair  mustache.  "  I  must  hurry  to  reach 
Frau  von  Lienau's.  Perhaps  they  will  give  me  the 
cold  shoulder ;  but  aid  me,  Munchausen,  to  tell  them 
such  marvelous  tales  of  the  hero  of  the  day  that 
they  will  not  have  the  least  inclination  to  do  so." 
Laughing  gayly,  he  buckled  on  his  sword  and  took 
his  helmet  under  his  arm  :     ''  Aic  revoir  f 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   PRINCE   OF   THE   MILL. 

Young  Gerrald  had  cared  little  for  the  gossip  of 
the  worthy  citizens  of  D — — ,  whether  with  noble  in- 
dignation they  condemned  him  or  defended  him 
against  all  the  slanderous  tongues.  He  had  locked 
himself  into  the  bow-window  room  to  keep  watch 
alone  beside  his  mother's  cofhn. 

No  one  except  old  Gretlis  had  seen  him  during 
this  time.  She  had  obstinately  begged  admission 
urgently  to  entreat  her  young  master  to  eat,  and 
now  and  then  had  asked  him  for  counsel.  Then 
Traugott  himself  helped  her  arrange  a  little  room 
in  the  attic,  where  the  old  woman  was  henceforth 
to  live  and  take  charge  of  the  empty  house. 

The  black  coffin  had  been  lowered  into  the  earth 
quietly,  without  display,  and  the  young  merchant 
now  stood  alone  and  desolate  in  the  dead  woman's 
chamber. 

A  very  singular  change  had  occurred  in  his  whole 
nature,  and  was  reflected  in  his  pale  features.    The 

M 


The  Opposite  House.  15 

dark-blue  eyes  looked  grave  and  earnest  beneath 
their  arched  brows,  the  lips  closed  firmly  over  the 
white  teeth,  and  a  deep,  almost  melancholy  line  ap- 
peared on  his  brow.  Traugott  Gerrald  had  matured 
to  manhood.  Only  a  few  days  before  his  features 
had  been  characterless,  boyish  and  yet  blas^ — a  hand- 
some profile,  behind  whose  open  brow  there  lived 
only  an  unbridled  love  of  pleasure.  And  now  had 
come  the  crisis  when  fate,  for  the  first  time,  strips 
the  smile  from  the  lips,  when  with  rude  hand  it 
cuts  deep  lines  and  imprints  upon  the  face  the 
sacred  signet  whose  device  is — "  Experience." 

A  broad  band  of  black  crepe  was  wound  around 
his  arm.  Before  him  still  lay  a  fresh  flower,  which 
he  had  taken  from  his  mother's  coffin  as  a  last 
memento. 

He  pressed  it  to  his  lips  almost  timidly ;  the  white 
blossom  seemed  to  him  a  sacred  legacy. 

"  My  talisman  !  My  sacred  relic  !"  He  opened 
his  elegant  note-book  to  conceal  it  among  the 
leaves.  But  all  the  pages  were  filled.  Here  lay  a 
pomegranate-blossom.  "  From  Heloise's  curls !" 
was  written  beneath,  and  the  beginning  of  a  stu- 
dent's drinking  song.  No,  that  was  no  place  for  the 
white  flower  of  death  ! 

A  deep  flush  mounted  slowly  to  his  pale  brow. 
Here  were  figures ;  big,  black  figures,  hastily 
scrawled — at  the  gaming-table ! 


1 6  The  Opposite  House. 

With  a  passionate  gesture,  the  young  man  flung 

down  the  book,  and  tearing  out  the  leaves,  burned 

them  on  the  hearth.     Then  he  placed  the  white 

flower  in  a  gold  box  and  hid  it  in  his  breast. 
****** 

The  unexpected  had  really,  actually  happened. 
He,  the  young,  pleasure-loving  dandy,  the  reckless 
worldling,  the  man  without  faith  or  stability — Trau- 
gott  Gerrald — had  repented,  and  was  living  quietly 
and  respectably,  industriously  doing  his  duty. 

"  He  is  working  like  a  lion  !"  exclaimed  Baron 
Linden  to  his  friends ;  and  Lieutenant  Horster  said, 
regretfully : 

"  It 's  a  pity  ;  he  was  really  a  capital  fellow.  Well, 
we  '11  see  how  long  his  zeal  will  last." 

The  young  ladies  whispered  secretly  about  the 
interesting  Gerrald,  who  had  actually  been  seen 
standing  below  at  the  door  of  the  mill  counting  the 
sacks. 

"  How  strange  !"  they  giggled,  and  added  a  pity- 
ing :  "  Poor  fellow  !  When  one  considers  that  he 
was  called  from  the  gaming-table  to  a  death-bed,  it 
was  a  hard  lesson  !" 

Gerrald  had  no  idea  of  the  comments  his  worthy 
fellow-citizens  were  making  upon  him.  Occupation 
was  his  sole  thought.  He  now  remembered  that  he 
owned  large  mills  in  the  suburbs.  He  had  seen 
them  once  as  he  rode  by,  very  hastily,  it  is  trae,  for 


The  Opposite  Hotise.  ly 

at  that  time  his  mind  was  occupied  with  the  beau- 
tiful ballet-dancer  who  had  driven  out  in  that  direc- 
tion. What  had  he  cared  for  the  mills  then  ?  He 
received  the  income  from  them,  and  often  wondered 
why  it  grew  smaller  every  year  ;  but  he  had  never 
thought  of  it  long.  Why  should  he?  He  had 
so  many  other  things  on  his  mind. 

Now  he  recollected  these  mills,  and  much  as  he 
had  formerly  neglected  them  they  now  completely 
absorbed  his  attention. 

He  remembered  that  he  had  once  been  told  that 
their  management  and  oversight  was  in  lax  hands. 
He  perceived  that  it  was  his  duty  to  arrange  and 
look  after  affairs  there.  He  admitted  that  as  owner 
and  master  he  was  responsible  for  his  property. 

He  rode  out  that  very  day. 

True,  the  men  stared  at  him  when  he  entered  so 
resolutely  to  assert  his  rights  as  master.  Most  of 
them  scarcely  knew  him,  and  the  superintendent 
appeared  by  no  means  disposed  to  yield  to  him. 
He  had  probably  formed  quite  a  different  idea  of 
the  owner  from  the  man  who  stood  so  proudly  be, 
fore  him,  and  was  not  prepared  for  the  searching 
examination  to  which  Gerrald  subjected  him. 

A  perfect  chaos  of  fraud  and  embezzlement  was 
revealed  to  Traugott's  keen  eyes.  Imperfect,  care- 
lessly kept  books  and  accounts  greeted  him  with 
mute  reproach  ;  everywhere  he  encountered  errors^ 


1 8  The   Opposite  House. 


mistakes  and  neglect ;  wherever  he  turned,  the  work 
towered  mountain  high,  and  letters  from  creditors 
were  heaped  in  packages  upon  the  desk. 

The  mills  consisted  of  a  number  of  houses  located 
at  the  end  of  the  suburb.  A  large,  square  court- 
yard formed  the  center,  surrounded  by  the  homes 
of  the  laborers  and  the  mill  hands,  whose  lower 
stories  contained  the  work-rooms,  and  closed  on  the 
east  by  the  superintendent's  house. 

The  employees  were  incited  to  open  rebellion  by 
this  superintendent's  representations. 

"  Who  dares  to  contradict  me  here  ?"  asked  Ger- 
rald's  calm  voice,  rising  above  the  murmurs  of  the 
men,  who  refused  to  work  if  any  attempt  was  made 
to  deprive  them  of  their  usual  customs  and 
privileges. 

The  rough  figures  pressed  nearer  to  the  young 
owner,  who,  leaning  against  the  railing  of  the 
bridge  over  the  mill-stream,  fixed  his  stern  eyes 
upon  them. 

"  I !"  shouted  the  superintendent.  "  We  will  not 
receive  orders  from  a  young  man  who  scarcely 
knows  himself  how  the  work  here  is  carried  on. 
You  have  no  idea  of  the  business,  HerrGerrald,  but 
you  act  as  though  we  were  all  stupid  apprentices 
compared  with  you,  and  must  be  intimidated  and 
silenced  by  insolence.  Do  not  imagine  that  you  can 
accomplish  anything  of  the  sort  with  us !    It  is  a 


The  Opposite  House.  19 

great  mistake.  What  do  you  want  here,  where  I 
have  managed  matters  until  now  ?" 

"What  do  I  want ?"  Traugott  retorted,  with  an 
annihilating  glance.  "  I  should  think  these  books 
might  answer." 

He  held  up  a  bundle  of  books,  which  he  had 
found  in  an  utterly  neglected  condition. 

"  Where  are  the  yearly  accounts — the  sales — the 
receipts  ?  Is  this  the  way  to  keep  the  books — to  let  the 
whole  property  go  to  ruin — and  then  ask  impudently 
what  the  owner  wants  ?  Look  at  the  stables  yonder. 
They  are  falling  to  pieces,  yet  the  money  has  been 
paid  to  put  them  in  repair.  What  has  become  of  it, 
superintendent?  See  the  machines  below  —  the 
condition  in  which  you  have  left  the  warehouses . 
And  how  could  you  venture  to  sell  any  part  of  the 
ground  without  informing  me  ?  The  payment  is 
ludicrously  small.  You  have  given  me  an  absurd 
price.  I  shall  ascertain  how  much  you  actually  re- 
ceived for  the  land." 

The  man  advanced  with  arms  akimbo. 

"  Pray  inquire — accuse  me — I  shall  know  how  to 
answer.  But  let  me  tell  you  this  :  In  your  father's 
lifetime  neither  the  books  nor  the  buildings  were 
in  any  better  condition,  yet  we  made  daily  progress  ; 
but  you,  in  your  avarice,  imagine  that  we  might  get 
a  penny  more  here  or  there,  and  want  to  pry  about 
yourself.     But  that  doesn't  suit  us  !     We  don't  work 


20  The  Opposite  House. 

tinder  such  control.  We  won't  be  spied  upon, 
neither  my  men  nor  I.  So  decide  whether  you  '11 
take  yourself  off  again,  and  let  everything  go  on  as 
before,  or  whether  we  shall  seek  service  elsewhere. 
You  have  only  to  choose." 

"  I  stand  on  my  own  property,  man,"  replied 
Traugott,  calmly,  "  and  affairs  have  really  gone  very 
far  if  I  am  to  make  way  for  my  superintendent.  I 
will  not  yield  a  single  inch,  and  if  that  doesn't  suit 
you,  you  are  dismissed." 

The  superintendent's  little  eyes  seamed  fairly  to 
devour  Gerrald's  tall  figure. 

'■'■  And  what  is  to  become  of  the  mills,  if  there  is 
no  one  to  turn  the  wheels,  eh  ?" 

"  That  is  my  business,"  replied  Traugott,  shrug- 
ging his  shoulders.  "  At  any  rate,  I  would  rather 
close  them  than  have  you  manage  them  another 
day." 

"  Well,  then,  you  can  all  go  to  the  tannery  !"  cried 
the  superintendent,  pale  with  fuiy.  "  There  we 
shall  find  less  niggardly  masters  and  equally  good 
wages." 

"  Indeed  !  Who  told  you  so  ?"  asked  Gerrald,  with 
folded  arms.  "  I  suppose  you  are  not  aware,  men, 
that  the  tannery  doesn't  need  another  soul,  and 
<hat  there  is  an  over-supply  of  workmen  else- 
where T' 

Already  troubled  faces  appeared  here  and  there, 


The  Opposite  Ho2ise.  21 

and  anxious  whispers  ran  through  the  crowd  as  the 
men  pressed  impetuously  nearer. 

"  What  ?  What  does  he  say  ?"  called  voices  from 
the  groups.     ''  What  is  going  on  at  the  tannery?" 

''  It  has  failed  !"  replied  Gerrald,  loudly. 

The  men  recoiled  as  if  a  thunderbolt  had  struck 
them. 

"  Don't  believe  it — he  wants  to  frighten  us  !" 
shouted  the  superintendent.  "  The  tannery  stands 
better  than  any  of  the  works  here.  See  how  the 
chimneys  are  pouring  out  smoke  !  Bird-lime,  Sir 
Owner,  bird-lime  !" 

"  Hurrah,  work  is  going  on  !  Certainly  it  is !" 
called  several  voices  from  among  the  throng.  And 
the  men  repeated  their  demands  still  more  loudly 
and  violently. 

"You  are  discharged!"  said  Traugott,  angrily. 
"  But  if  any  of  you  can  read  let  him  come  for- 
ward." 

A  tall,  pale-faced  workman  slowly  advanced, 
scarcely  daring  to  raise  his  eyes. 

"  Come,  Lohfeld,"  repeated  the  young  man,  with 
a  shade  of  reproach  in  his  tone.  "  So  I  must  see  you, 
too,  among  the  strikers,  you  whom  my  father  always 
praised  as  an  honest  man  ?" 

Lohfeld  shrank,  a  deep  blush  crimsoned  his  face, 
and  he  glanced  sullenly  at  his  companions. 

"They  forced  me  to  it,  sir." 


2  2  The   Opposite  House. 


*'  Read  his  waste  paper  !"  thundered  the  superin- 
tendent, advancing  with  clenched  fists. 

Traugott  held  out  a  document  which  he  had  just 
drawn  from  his  breast-pocket. 

The  workman  began  to  read  with  a  trembling 
voice  ;  his  features  grew  paler  and  more  agitated. 

"  Heavenly  father,  it  has  failed !" 

*'  And  here  is  the  seal  of  the  court,"  Gerrald  con- 
tinued calmly,  holding  the  paper  aloft.  "  The  tan- 
nery has  not  been  able  to  keep  on  with  the  business, 
and  the  creditors  are  pressing  the  sale.  The  mag- 
istrates offered  it  to  me,  and  informed  me  of  the 
matter  first  because  the  building  could  be  conveni- 
ently incorporated  with  the  mill  here.  Now  go  and 
seek  employment.  I  need  no  men  who  wish  to 
rebel  against  their  master." 

Lohfeld,  deadly  pale,  approached,  raising  his 
clasped  hands. 

"  Master  !"  he  cried,  frantically.  "  I  have  four 
children  !" 

"  Have  pity,  master,"  pleaded  a  hundred  voices  ; 
"almost  all  of  us  have  families  !  Don't  turn  us  oft", 
or  they  must  starve  !" 

Gerrald's  stern  expression  vanished,  and  he  held 
out  his  hand  kindly  to  Lohfeld. 

"  No,  my  men,  I  will  not  make  you  homeless  !"  he 
called  loudly.  "Have  no  fear;  I  shall  not  plunge 
my  workmen  into  poverty  because,  misled  by  un- 


The  Opposite  House. 


23 


worthy  men,  they  even  desired  a  few  minutes  ago 
to  deprive  me  of  service  and  property.  I  have 
friends,  manufacturers  and  owners  of  landed  es- 
tates, with  whom  I  will  obtain  places  for  you." 

These  few  words  had  the  effect  of  producing  a 
tempest  of  emotion. 

"  No,  master,  we  want  to  serve  you.  You  are 
kinder  than  we  have  deserved  !"  they  cried  from 
overflowing  hearts ;  and  the  men  surrounded  Ger- 
rald,  waving  their  caps.  It  was  a  beautiful  specta- 
cle to  see  the  young  owner  of  the  mill,  his  face 
beaming  with  joy,  as  he  shook  hands  with  one  after 
another  weather-beaten  figure. 

The  superintendent  had  slipped  quietly  away. 

But  the  men  confirmed  their  vows  with  a  cordial 
clasp  of  the  hand,  and  tears  glittered  in  the  eyes  of 
many  as  their  sinewy  hands  were  raised  to  call 
down  Heaven's  blessings  on  their  young  master, 
while  "  Hurrah,  hurrah  for  Herr  Gerrald  !"  mingled 
joyously  with  the  sound  of  the  rippling  waves  of  the 
mill-stream. 


CHAPTER  III. 


HELOISE. 


The  purple  curtains  were  closely  drawn.  The 
bright  sunshine  flickered  over  their  folds  and,  cast- 
ing a  shining  reflection  upon  the  mirror-like  floor, 
glided  shimmering  over  the  soft  satin  furniture  and 
suffused  the  dancing  bayadere  with  a  roseate  hue. 
Slender  palms  swayed  above  the  elegant  writing- 
desk,  which  was  lavishly  equipped  with  every  trifle 
the  nineteenth  century  gathers  in  a  motley  mosaic. 
Costly  vases  adorned  the  gilded  shelves  of  the  long 
pier-glasses ;  bald-headed  Chinese  gazed  solemnly 
from  gayly-painted  boxes,  and  the  azaleas  blossom- 
ing in  the  niches  in  the  walls  contrasted,  in  their 
di  -)amy  whiteness,  with  the  chaos  of  costly  articles 
huddled  together  upon  the  soft  rugs. 

Heloise,  the  reckless  Frenchwoman,  with  a  gay 
laugh  ever  on  her  lips,  had  already  seen  a  great 

f24j 


The  Opposite  House.  25 

deal  of  the  world.  She  had  roamed  hither  and 
thither,  dancing,  laughing  and  rejoicing  like  the 
butterfly  which  sips  the  honey  from  every  blossom. 

So  she  had  come  to  D and  accepted  an  en- 
gagement at  the  court  theatre.  "  Only  for  a  few 
weeks,"  as  she  said,  to  comfort  herself  while  passing 
through  the  quiet  German  city,  imagining  that  she 
should  die  of  ennui ;  but  the  result  was  quite  dif- 
ferent. 

Heloise  was  amused  by  the  universal  idolatry  be- 
stowed upon  her,  and  laughingly  accepted  the 
proofs  of  admiration  ;  all  were  equally  a  matter  of 
indifference  to  her,  as  well  as  the  suitors  for  her 
favor,  with  the  exception  of  one  for  whose  coming 
she  waited  as  the  pilgrim  in  the  desert  watches  for 
the  drops  of  water  ;  whose  words  made  her  happy 
as  no  other  sound  had  ever  done,  yet  who  was  only 
a  plain  young  mill-owner,  with  neither  lofty  name 
nor  position,  though  to  her  a  god — omnipotent  over 
her  heart. 

She  loved,  perhaps  for  the  first  time  !  Traugott 
Gerrald,  handsome  and  full  of  life,  was  the  first  per- 
son who  had  fettered  her  coy  heart,  who  had  laughed 
and  sung  with  her,  and  then  so  basely  and  suddenly 
deserted  her  for  the  sake  of  an  old  dead  woman — 
his  mother. 

The  bewitching  dancer  lay  on  the  divan,  half 
concealed    by  the    waving    palm-leaves,    nestling 


26  The  Opposite  House. 

among  the  cushions  like  a  glittering  adder  sunning 
itself,  rolled  in  a  coil,  amid  the  moss.  Her  little 
foot  was  angrily  tossed  upward,  and  the  sharp  heel 
of  her  morocco  slipper  kicked  the  gilded  carving  of 
the  furniture  as  if  it  were  the  sole  cause  of  her  ill- 
humor.  Then  she  sulkily  turned  page  after  page 
of  the  French  novel,  and  finally,  in  a  fit  of  sudden 
wrath,  tossed  it  into  the  niche  where  the  flowers 
stood.  The  white  blossoms  fell  in  a  dense  shower 
on  the  carpet,  and  the  long-haired  lap-dog  fled, 
barking  loudly,  from  its  velvet  cushions. 

Heloise  sprang  up  excitedly  and  paced  swiftly 
through  the  drawing-room,  her  light  morning-robe 
fluttered  like  an  airy  cloud  around  her  full  figure, 
and  her  embroidered  flounces  trailed  over  the  floor. 
Folding  her  arms  across  her  breast,  with  a  gloomy 
look,  she  went  to  the  writing-desk,  and  stood  there 
pondering,  with  her  little  hands  clenched  as  she 
gnawed  her  under-lip. 

"  If  he  doesn't  come  to-day,  I  11  write  to  him  !" 
she  muttered  between  her  teeth.  "  Oh,  it  is  really 
a  pretty  piece  of  business  that  he  lets  matters  go  so 
far  that  I,  the  sovereign,  the  omnipotent  queen, 
must  sue  for  his  presence  !  Yet  do  I  really  love 
him?  Love  him  ?  It  almost  seems  so,  yet  it  should 
not,  must  not  be  !" 

Just  at  that  moment  the  portiere  rustled  ;  the  dan' 
cer  started,  pressing  her  hand  upon  her  heart  ;  the 


TJie   Opposite  House.  27 

door  opened,  and  her  maid's  fair  locks  appeared  be- 
tween the  heavy  folds. 

"  Mademoiselle,  this  bouquet — " 

In  two  paces  Heloise  was  standing  at  her  side, 
and  hastily  snatched  the  flowers  out  of  her  hand. 

"From  whom?"  fell  breathlessly  from  her  lips. 

*'  Herr  Lieutenant  Horster  presents  his  compli- 
ments— " 

"  Silence  !"  thundered  the  Frenchwoman,  hurling 
the  bouquet  violently  on  the  floor.  "  I  am  at  home 
to  no  one  to-day ;  no  one,  do  you  hear  ?  I  have  a 
headache  ;  I  am  ill.     Yet  stay — if  Herr  Gerrald — " 

"  Ah  !"  nodded  Susanne,  significantly,  with  a 
slight  expression  of  sarcasm  hovering  about  her 
thin  lips.     "  Is  Herr  Gerrald  coming  again  at  last?" 

"  That  is  no  affair  of  yours,"  replied  the  dancer, 
haughtily.  "  Don't  forget  the  position  you  occupy 
in  my  service  ;  a  maid  must  keep  silent  or  curb  her 
saucy  tongue,  or  she  will  be  dismissed.  Note  that 
and  go  !"  She  waved  her  hand  toward  the  door. 
"  Or  stop — "  She  went  to  the  writing-desk  and 
hurriedly  scrawled  a  few  lines  on  a  sheet  of  paper, 
put  it  into  an  envelope  and  gave  it  to  the  maid. 
"  Find  a  messenger,  Susanne,  and  have  this  letter 
taken  to  Herr  Gerrald  at  once." 

Young  Gerrald  was  standing  below  in  the  arched 
stone  doorway,  watching  the  wagons,  loaded  with 
grain,  which  rolled  creaking  over  the  flag-stones, 


28  The  Opposite  House. 

when  Heloise's  note  was  delivered  to  him.  He 
glanced  quietly  at  the  hurried  address,  a  swift, 
burning  blush  crimsoned  his  brow,  and  he  put  the 
missive  into  his  pocket. 

"  Thank  you  ;  it  needs  no  answer. 

"  Lohfeld,  the  next  wagon  is  coming  from  the 
store-houses  ;  how  many  hundred-weight  have  5^ou 
calculated  ?" 

"  One  hundred  and  sixty-three,  master,"  replied 
the  new  superintendent,  rapidly  adding  the  figures  ; 
"  twenty-five  from  the  city,  and  the  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  from  Dornhof  make  in  all  one  hundred 
and  sixty-three." 

Lohfeld  went  down  to  the  work-rooms,  and  the 
gray  horses  vanished  in  the  stable ;  everything 
grew  quiet  about  the  young  master  of  the  mill. 

He  still  leaned  against  the  stone  gateway,  his 
glance  wandering  over  the  spacious  courtyard, 
which,  full  of  life  and  labor,  had  become  his  proud 
domain.  Happiness,  quiet,  elevating  happiness 
took  possession  of  him,  and  he  almost  shuddered  at 
the  thought  of  the  past  which  he  had  so  uselessly 
wasted,  of  which  he  had  robbed  himself.  Like  a 
flash  of  lightning  the  beautiful  woman  rose  before 
his  soul,  radiant,  gay  and  faithless  as  the  dragon-fly 
hovering  over  the  rippling  surface  of  the  water. 

Smiling  almost  contemptuously,  he  drew  the  per- 
fumed note  from  his  pocket,  and  the  lines  which  a 


.  The  Opposite  House.  29 

few  weeks  before  would  have  elevated  him  to  the 
skies,  which  he  would  probably  have  longed  to 
frame  like  a  jewel  in  gold,  he  now  touched  with  the 
tips  of  his  fingers,  reluctantly,  timidly,  as  if  the  little 
flourishing  letters  burned  like  fire. 

"Gerrald,"  ran  the  lines,  "  another  week  has  passed  without 
any  news,  any  sign  of  life  from  you.  Tyrant,  do  you  wish  to 
force  me  to  beg  for  your  presence  ?  Oh,  you  men  arc  terrible, 
•when  you  know  that  you  are  beloved.  I  respect  your  grief  for 
Frau  Gertrude,  but  its  duration  is  wearisome.  It  cannot  help  the 
dead,  and  it  troubles  me.  You  wish  suddenly  to  play  virtuous,  as 
people  say.  Nay,  you  even  count  the  meal-bags !  Do  not  make 
yourself  ridiculous  by  an  idea  which,  in  a  short  time,  will  seem 
horribly  stupid.  Consider  your  beautiful  hands.  If  you  will  not 
be  sensible,  be  vain.  And — don't  be  tiresome,  Gerrald.  I  hate 
tiresome  people.  Come  to  me — at  once.  Au  revoir,  vton  cher. 
Bring  me  a  smile  !  Heloise." 

A  gloomy  frown  darkened  his  brow,  his  blue  eyes 
flashed  contemptuously,  almost  angrily  as  they 
rested  on  the  lines.  The  familiar  tone,  the  frivo- 
lous judgment  of  his  improvement,  wounded  him 
to  the  very  depths  of  his  soul.  Good  heavens  ! 
And  he  might  have  loved  this  woman  !  Loved  her, 
about  whom  there  was  nothing  true  or  genuine,  ex- 
cept the  levity  under  the  rouge. 

He  drew  himself  up  proudly.  His  slender  figure 
seemed  to  grow  with  the  long  breath  that  expanded 
his  chest,  and  slowly,  with  almost  contemptuous 
composure,  he  tore  up  the  little  note.  Scrap  after 
scrap  fluttered  down  into  the  rippling  mill-stream. 


30  The  Opposite  Hotise. 

and  the  waves  sportively  bore  them  away.  He 
watched  them  as  they  vanished  in  the  white 
foam  or  were  tossed  upward  till  they  finally  sank 
out  of  sight. 

With  a  quiet  smile  he  laid  his  hand  upon  his 
heart,  where  the  white  flower  of  death  rested,  and 
full  of  noble  resolution,  raised  his  eyes  to  the  blue 
spring  heavens. 

"  I  must  and  will  go  to  her  once  more  to  destroy 
this  delusion  forever." 

He  crossed  the  courtyard  in  the  direction  of  the 
stables. 

"  Josef,  is  my  break  ready  ?" 

"Yes,  Herr  Gerrald,"  and  the  groom  pushed  the 
light  vehicle  out  of  the  carriage-house. 

Traugott  went  to  his  dun  horses,  adjusted  the 
reins  on  their  slender  necks,  stroked  their  shining 
sides  caressingly,  and  led  them  out  in  front  of  the 
high  vehicle,  into  which  he  sprang  with  a  bound. 

"  Josef,  go  over  to  the  superintendent  and  order — 
Ah,  Lohfeld  !" 

The  latter  was  just  coming  from  the  store-houses 
with  a  long  list  in  his  hand. 

"  You  called  me,  master  ?"  he  said,  hurrying  for- 
ward.    "  Are  there  any  orders  for  the  afternoon  ?" 

Traugott  lighted  his  cigar  and  flung  down  the 
match. 

"  No  \  but  the  letters  on  my  desk  are  to  be  mailed. 


The  Opposite  House.  31 

and  if  the  head  of  the  ofiice  comes  from  Dornhof, 
you  know  where  I  am  to  be  found.  That 's  all  for 
to-day.  1  must  go  up  to  the  city  and  open  the  win- 
dows in  the  old  house." 

He  took  up  the  reins  and  returned  the  bows  of 
the  two  employees.  Then  the  impatient  horses 
started,  and  the  equipage  flew  as  swiftly  along  tho 

high  road  to  D as  the  light  clouds  flit  across  the 

sky. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

TWO     GABLE     HOUSES. 

The  Gerrald  house  stood  in  the  center  of  the  city. 
The  street  was  one  of  those  ancient  ones,  a  relic  of 
bygone  days,  when  dignified  members  of  the  senate 
passed  along,  litters  and  clumsy  coaches  swayed  to 
and  fro,  or  fair,  girlish  faces  peeped  through  the 
leaden-cased  panes,  to  drop  at  the  feet  of  the  Raths- 
herr  a  sprig  of  rosemary,  which  in  the  good  old 
days  meant,  in  the  language  of  the  flowers  :  "  I  will 
go  with  you  to  the  altar." 

Here  on  the  stone  door-post  still  stood  a  large  "  L. 
G.,"  and  below,  nearly  obliterated,  "  1673,"  that  were 
meant  for  old  Leopold  Gerrald,  the  haughty,  morose 
gentleman  in  black-velvet  blouse  and  huge  lace  col- 
lar, who  for  a  long  time  occupied  a  seat  in  the  senate, 
and  with  dignified  bearing  marched  at  the  head  of 
the  guild.  His  portrait  still  hung  in  the  hall.  Here 
a  delicate  coat  of  arms  was  traced — a  leaping  horse 
and  an  empty  field  beneath.  It  was  probably  done 
[32] 


The  Opposite  Hotcse.  33 

by  handsome  Zacharias  Gerrald's  wild  son,  who  was 
angry  because  his  pale  mother  was  a  Von  Rotters- 
wyl,  and  who  went  with  his  brother  to  the  field  as 
a  bold  cuirassier  to  fight  the  insolent  Swedes.  This 
Deithelm  had  fled  from  home  because  he  had 
stabbed  his  mother's  proud  nephew,  Baron  von 
Rotterswyl,  in  a  duel.     Those  were  gloomy  days. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  way,  another  gable  house, 
equally  old,  worm-eaten  and  weather-worn,  leaned 
toward  its  smaller  neighbors,  which,  crowded  closely 
together,  formed  the  narrow  street.  A  stone  stair- 
case led  up  to  the  arched  door,  above  whose  carved 
top  was  a  huge  gray  escutcheon — a  leaping  horse 
and  an  empty  field  beneath. 

It  was  the  home  of  the  Barons  von  Rotterswyl. 
The  two  houses  had  faced  each  other  for  centu- 
ries, both  equally  ancient  and  venerated.  Around 
the  one  with  the  coronet  hovered  the  halo  of  a 
noble  name.  The  other  bore  the  praiseworthy 
crown  of  labor.  Yet  their  aspect  was  as  cold  and 
hostile  as  though  the  narrow  street  were  a  yawning 
chasm,  which  neither  bridge  nor  friendship  could 
unite. 

It  had  been  different  once.  Then  nobleman  and 
merchant  clasped  hands  with  fraternal  affection. 
Then  handsome  Zacharias  daily  visited  the  house 
with  the  gray  escutcheon  and  sat  at  the  carved  oaken 
table  opposite  to  the  master  of  the  house  to  pledge 


34  l^h^  Opposite  House. 


him  from  an  ancient  beaker.  Doubtless  a  sincere 
friendship  united  the  families  until  the  bitter  hour 
when  the  baron's  high-born  daughter  fled  to  the 
house  of  the  plebeian  merchant,  and  with  each  fatal 
step  thrust  the  swaying  bridge  down  into  the  black 
abyss. 

Ay,  the  old  ancestral  portraits  in  the  neighboring 
house  could  tell  long  stories  of  that  unhappy  time, 
bloody  tales  of  hate,  enmity  and  scorn,  which  the 
son  inherited  from  the  father.  The  feud  was  per- 
sistently maintained  to  punish  the  insolence,  and  a 
barrier  was  erected  between  the  two  houses  which 
not  even  centuries  could  overthrow. 

Marie  von  Rotterswyl,  the  daughter  of  the  old 
baroness,  occupied  the  bow-window  above.  This 
was  her  chosen  kingdom,  among  the  flowers  and 
twittering  birds,  where  she  could  follow  the  dic- 
tates of  every  passing  mood,  rejoice  with  the  glad 
sunshine  or  sit  lost  in  reverie  for  hours  before  the 
dark  oil-painting  which,  removed  from  the  portrait 
gallery,  was  banished  to  this  room  under  the 
roof. 

Marie  knew  the  story  of  her  ancestress  ;  she  had 
often  heard  her  mentioned,  with  bitter  rancor,  as 
the  only  blot  upon  the  stainless  genealogy.  Full  of 
intense  sympathy,  Marie  had  carried  the  portrait  of 
the  exile  to  her  little  bow-windowed  room,  carefully 
wiped  the  cobwebs  and  dust  from  the  dark  frame 


The  Opposite  House.  35 

and  concealed  it  like  a  beloved  and  precious  treas- 
ure behind  her  flowers. 

Marie  was  still  scarcel}-  more  than  a  child,  though 
she  had  seen  sixteen  springs.  But,  secluded  from 
the  outside  world,  untouched  by  its  poisonous 
breath,  she  had  bloomed  like  a  lily  of  the  field,  un- 
conscious of  her  own  beauty. 

Tall  and  slender,  with  bewitching  grace  in  every 
movement,  she  resembled  the  poetic  ideal  of  the 
German  maiden.  Thick  waves  of  golden  hair  were 
gathered  into  a  knot,  and  light  curls  framed  a  white 
brow,  beneath  which  laughed  eyes  as  blue  and 
radiant  as  a  bit  of  the  spring  sky  reflected  in  a  still 
forest  lake. 

Marie  was  again  standing  with  clasped  hands  and 
lowered  lashes  before  the  portrait  of  her  pale  an- 
cestress ;  some  incomprehensible  attraction  seemed 
to  draw  her  as  if  by  magic  to  the  face  which  gazed 
down  at  her  so  tenderly  and  sadly. 

"  Do  I  really  look  like  her?"  she  asked  herself, 
thoughtfully.  "  Aunt  Verja  says  so.  I  am  younger, 
far  younger ;  but  she,  too,  was  once  sixteen,  and  be- 
fore she  had  wept  and  suffered  so  much,  her  cheeks 
were  perhaps  more  rosy.  You  were  right.  Ances- 
tress Barbara,  and  I — I  would  do  the  same  !  What 
do  I  care  for  all  the  coronets  and  coats  of  arms,  all 
the  proud  names  which  sound  so  cold,  so  repellent  ? 
What  do  I  care  for  a  mother  who  loves  nothing  but 


o 


6  The  Opposite  House. 


her  family,  and  lets  her  own  child  pine  for  its  sake  ? 
You,  Barbara,  are  the  only  one  who  understands 
me,  who  knows  how  it  hurts  to  have  no  heart  in  the 
breast ;  nothing  but  an  escutcheon,  where  other 
people  can  love  and  feel !  You  have  loved,  and  you 
were  happy  !  Isn't  mamma  wrong,  Ancestress  Bar- 
bara, when  she  says :  '  Love  is  an  illusion,  but 
noble  blood  is  a  sacred  possession  ?'  "  And  draw- 
ing a  long  breath,  Marie  pushed  her  fair  locks  back 
from  her  brow  and  turned  toward  the  window. 
"■  Who  knows,  perhaps  she  occupied  my  little  room 
up  here  and  handsome  Zacharias  Gerrald  looked 
out  of  the  opposite  window — " 

She  did  not  finish  the  sentence,  but,  with  sudden 
terror,  bent  over  her  roses  and  gazed  across  at  the 
merchant's  house,  at  whose  window  she  saw  a 
stranger,  whose  face  was  handsomer  and  more  at- 
tractive than  any  which  she  had  ever  beheld. 
Locks  of  fair  hair  clustered  thickly  over  his  brow, 
and  his  dark  eyes  were  fixed  mournfully  on  the 
sky — Traugott  Gerrald. 

He  turned  his  head — his  glance  wandered  to  the 
gray  house,  rested  on  the  window  filled  with  roses, 
and,  starting  in  astonishment,  he  stared  at  the 
lovely  little  face,  whose  large  blue  eyes  were  fixed 
so  timidly  and  inquiringly  upon  him.  His  own 
eyes  grew  brighter,  the  flush  on  his  brow  deeper. 
Who  was  sb©  ? 


The  Opposite  House.  37 

Their  glances  met  only  for  a  moment ;  tlien  the 
golden-haired  child  suddenly  started,  the  rose  petals 
fell  to  the  floor  in  a  shower,  the  white  curtain  shook ; 
but  she  had  vanished,  and  he  saw  nothing  except 
the  rigid  features  of  a  portrait  hanging  on  the  wall. 
Was  he  excited,  or  was  he  the  sport  of  some  spec- 
tral illusion  ?  The  portrait  seemed  to  raise  its  white 
hands  and,  with  a  beseeching  gesture,  wave  the 
young  man  back.     What  did  you  fear,  Barbara  von 

Rotterswyl  ? 

*  *  -x-  *  *  •» 

Gerrald  stood  at  the  window  half  an  hour  longer, 
staring  fixedly  at  the  baronial  house,  as  if  he  hoped 
the  weather-beaten  stones  would  open  and  afford 
him  another  glimpse  of  the  vision  which  had  so 
surprised  him  that  he  could  scarcely  appreciate  the 
details  of  its  beauty.  But,  like  the  elusive  Fata 
Morgana,  the  sunny  phantom  of  the  desert,  the  ap- 
parition had  vanished  behind  the  rose-bushes,  leav- 
ing him  nothing  save  the  ugly,  bare  reality — the 
empty  window  in  the  house  of  a  hostile  family.  No 
golden  locks  glimmered  through  the  green  foliage, 
and  the  lovely  eyes  and  swift  smile  had  disap- 
peared as  completely  as  if  he  had  never  seen  them. 


/ 


f  ^Wi 


..«*••*•.. 


11  .t-m-t-i' 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE     TALISMAN. 


Traugott  walked  rapidly  down  the  street,  without 
casting  a  glance  upward  at  the  window  of  the 
young  baroness,  amid  whose  green  leafage  a  finch 
was  carolling  its  vesper  song ;  his  eyes  were  bent 
upon  the  stone  flags  of  the  pavement,  and  he 
imagined  that,  in  every  crevice,  he  saw  the  sneer- 
ing face  of  the  old  baroness,  the  woman  to  whom 
all  that  bore  the  name  of  Gerrald  had  no  existence  ! 
But  Marie  ?  Did  those  loving  child-like  eyes  know 
the  insolent  language  of  arrogance  ?  Could  they 
coldly,  heartlessly,  see  nothing  save  that  blot  upon 
the  ancient  name,  and  condemn  the  family  whose 
great-grandfather  had  been  preferred  to  a  coat  of 
arms  ?  Had  those  sweet  lips  been  taught  to  utter 
bitter  words  against  the  hated  neighbor,  the  little 
golden  head  pondered  over  those  horrible  scenes 
of  the  past,  in  which  an  unfortunate  sword-thrust 
[38] 


The   Opposite  House.  39 

made  the  nephew  the  murderer  of  his  aristocratic 
uncle  ?  And  yet — might  it  not  have  been  merely  a 
fateful  accident  that  she  bestowed  the  sunny  smile 
on  a  Gerrald  ?  Had  the  blush  and  hasty  retreat  aught 
to  do  with  him  ? 

Traugott  rushed  into  the  main  street ;  he  wanted 
to  see  and  hear  his  fellow-mortals.  What  interest 
should  he  feel  in  this  aristocrat,  who  was  also  his 
enemy,  and  whom  he  had  seen  scarcely  a  moment? 
But  how  did  it  happen  that  he  had  never  seen  her 
before  ?  Before !  When  did  he  come  home  in 
former  days?  Perhaps  at  midnight,  when  those 
sweet  eyes  had  long  been  closed  in  sleep,  when  she 
had  probably  murmured  a  little  prayer  under  the 
portrait  of  her  despised  ancestress,  perchance  be- 
sought mercy  for  all  souls  that  were  in  evil  paths 
and  thus  unconsciously  for  him,  who,  at  this  time, 
was  throwing  away  his  money  on  the  green  table 
or  languishing  at  the  feet  of  that  frivolous  French- 
woman. 

An  impetuous  desire  seized  upon  the  young  man 
with  overwhelming  might : 

'■'■  To  Heloise  !  I'll  show  her  that  I  was  a  fool  in 
those  days!" 

He  swiftly  traversed  the  few  intervening  streets, 
and  again  stood  before  the  door  of  the  house  in 
which  he  had  formerly  been  a  daily  guest.  Before 
ringing  the  bell  he  paused  a  moment,  raised  his 


40  The  Opposite  House. 

hat,  and  let  the  cool  evening  breeze  fan  his  burning 
brow  caressingly. 

The  bell  pealed  shrilly  through  the  corridor  ;  light 
steps  approached  the  door.  Susanne  fairly  started 
back : 

"  You,  Herr  Gerrald  ?" 

"  Yes,  I,"  he  answered  curtly.  ''  Is  mademoiselle 
at  home  ?*' 

The  girl  flew  rather  than  walked  over  the  soft 
carpet  back  to  her  mistress.  A  loud  exclamation, 
which  sounded  almost  like  a  cry  of  delight,  reached 
his  ears  ;  then  Susanne  returned  and  threw  the  door 
wide  open  : 

"  Mademoiselle  Heloise  is  dressing  for  the  opera, 
but  will  come  presently." 

Gerrald  again  stood  in  the  little  boudoir  which  had 
formerly  seemed  to  him  an  Elysium.  She  had  so 
often  reclined  in  yonder  chair,  while,  kneeling  on  a 
cushion  at  her  side,  he  talked  about  eternal  love. 
Folly !  The  sweet  odor  of  heliotrope  seemed  to 
oppress  his  breathing  ;  the  magical  dusk,  the  em- 
bers glimmering  on  the  hearth,  the  heavy  fragrance 
of  the  flowers — all  combined  to  stupefy  his  senses. 
He  felt  too  weak  to  cope  with  this  task.  If  only  she 
did  not  keep  him  waiting  too  long,  the  delay  was  so 
tiresome.  He  was  about  to  seek  refuge  in  flight — 
his  hand  already  grasped  the  velvet  portiere — when 
the  vision  in  the  bow-window  rose  before  him,  and 


The  Opposite  House.  41 

he  felt  as  though  panoplied  by  the  memory  of  the 
innocent  girl  behind  the  laughing  roses,  innocent  of 
deception,  rouge  or  guile,  herself  as  fair  as  a  flower ; 
and,  drawing  a  long  sigh  of  relief,  he  remained. 
Several  minutes  passed  ;  then  the  door  opened  softly, 
a  flood  of  brilliant  light  poured  into  the  little  room 
and,  glittering  like  a  dragon-fly,  laughing,  scantily 
clad  in  ballet  -  costume,  the  bewitching  Heloise 
rushed  to  meet  him. 

Traugott  involuntarily  stepped  back  ;  the  flood  of 
light  dazzled  him,  and  he  pressed  his  hand  almost 
timidly  upon  his  breast,  on  the  white  blossom  he 
wore  on  his  heart.  Heloise  was  indeed  beautiful — 
fairer,  more  bewitching  than  ever. 

Smiling  radiantly  as  of  yore,  she  stood  before 
him  with  arms  uplifted.  Then  she  sank  lightly  on 
one  knee,  the  glittering  gauze  dress  floating  about 
her  like  a  golden  cloud  : 

"  My  lord — my  loved  one  !"  The  head,  crowned 
with  dark  curls,  drooped  upon  her  breast,  the  white 
arms  were  folded  across  the  shimmering  gauze.  The 
tableau  was  fascinating  and  cleverly  planned. 

Traugott  slowly  approached  her. 

"  Mademoiselle—" 

Heloise  raised  her  eyes  in  astonishment ;  then, 
laughing  merrily,  she  started  up  and  clung  closely 
to  him. 

"  No,  Gerrald  !"she  exclaimed  with  beaming  eyes. 


42  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Let  this  cruel  sport  end  now,  and  be  once  more  the 
sensible,  gay  Gerrald  of  former  days.  You  see 
your  success  ;  you  perceive  that  I  have  been  forced 
to  recall  you ;  that  I  have  knelt  at  your  feet  to  honor 
you  as  an  omnipotent  master.  What  more  do  you 
want,  now  that  you  know  that  I  love  you  ?"  The  dark 
eyes  gazed  at  him  with  an  alluring  smile,  and  the 
snowy  arms  clasped  his  neck.  "  Have  you  entirely 
forgotten  the  happy  past,  Traugott  ?" 

He  wrenched  himself  from  her  embrace  and 
stepped  back. 

"  Certainly,  I  have  forgotten  it,  Mademoiselle 
Chenois.  When  we  wear  crape  on  the  arms,  we  no 
longer  think  of  days  which  make  a  serious  man — 
blush." 

Heloise  started  back  ;  an  angry  flash  darted  from 
her  sparkling  eyes. 

"  It  seems  you  wish  to  preach  virtue !"  she 
answered  mockingly.  "  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  Don't  you 
remember  how  you  taught  me  the  most  charming 
drinking  songs,  and  joined  the  most  gayly  in  the 
chorus?"  And  swaying  lightly  forward  from  the 
waist  she  hummed  the  tune. 

Traugott  gazed  gloomily  at  the  floor. 

"  No,  Heloise,"  he  said  gravely.  **  Cease  this  jest- 
ing with  a  man  on  whom  grief  inflicted  deep 
wounds  only  a  few  weeks  ago.  I  have  come  to-day 
to  bid  you  farewell  forever  ;  our  paths  in  life  are  too 


The  Opposite  House. 


unlike  to  be  united.  You  are  the  careless  child  of 
the  South,  who  must  always  laugh,  sing-  and  dance  ; 
but  I  have  become  a  man.  I  have  had  my  days 
of  pleasure  ;  perhaps  devoted  myself  too  completely 
to  it.  Now  all  that  is  over,  and  my  future  watch- 
word is  '  Duty,*  which  is  more  sacred  to  me  than 
all  the  thousand  hours  which  I  dreamed  away  in 
your  arms — at  your  feet.  I  am  no  longer  the  Trau- 
gott  Gerrald  of  former  days  ;  no  longer  the  easily 
captivated  boy.  I  have  become  my  own  master, 
and  must  give  an  account  of  my  deeds  and  conduct 
to  myself  and  to  my  beloved  dead." 

The  dancer  looked  at  him  with  an  expression  of 
mingled  pity  and  derision. 

"  So  you  have  really  taken  Madam  Gertrude's 
death  so  much  to  heart  ?  Good  heavens,  what  a 
contrast  to  the  way  in  which  you  regarded  it  a  few 
weeks  ago  !  Then  the  aforesaid  lady  was  the  only 
obstacle  to  our  union.  I  could  almost  admire  your 
grief  and  energy,  if  they  were  only  applied  to  a  dif- 
ferent purpose  ;  quelle  Jiorreur  to  be  such  a  Prince  of 
the  Mill,  as  people  nickname  you,  forever  among 
meal-bags.     Ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

She  fairly  shook  with  laughter,  and  was  charming 
in  this  mood  also. 

Traugott's  face  crimsoned  to  the  very  brow. 

"  You  sneer  at  me  for  having  begun  to  work  and 
learned  to  despise  myself.    I  regret  that  I  let  mat- 


44  The  Opposite  House. 

ters  go  so  far  that  I  am  forced  to  be  ashamed  of 
those  days." 

He  nodded,  and  turned  his  back  upon  her  ;  but 
ere  he  could  reach  the  portieres,  an  airy  cloud  flut- 
tered into  his  path.  Heloise  sank  between  the 
heavy  velvet  folds. 

"  No,  do  not  go  too  far,  Gerrald  !"  she  cried,  be- 
seechingly. "  I  have  endured  your  rudeness  with 
rare  patience,  a  proof  of  my  infinite  love.  You 
must  not  leave  me  thus,  in  anger  !  Only  one  look 
into  my  eyes  ;  just  one.  Traugott,  tell  me  that  you 
are  not  angry  with  me  ;  that  you  will  come  again. 
One  word,  only  one  word,  Gerrald,  or  you  will  drive 
me  mad !" 

She  was  a  brilliant  actress,  every  one  admitted, 
and  could  throw  a  world  of  expression  into  her 
eyes.  It  was  so  now.  She  gazed  at  him  with  in- 
finite anxiety.  Her  dark  curls  fell  low  on  her  brow ; 
magnificent  diamonds  glittered  amid  their  thick 
masses  ;  her  rosy  arms  held  the  heavy  folds  closely 
together.  Nothing  but  force  could  part  them.  Trau- 
gott drew  back  a  step,  and  almost  involuntarily 
fixed  his  enraptured  eyes  upon  the  fascinating 
creature  who  knelt  at  his  feet,  more  beautiful  than 
ever. 

She  raised  her  clasped  hands  ;  her  glance  sought 
his,  timidly,  beseechingly  ;  and  as  he  saw  her  thus 
before  him,  the  features,  which  were  once  his  all, 


The  Opposite  House.  45 

as  beautiful,  as  enthralling  as  ever,  a  flood  of  con- 
suming- fire  seemed  to  seethe  in  his  heart  and  be- 
wilder his  soul ;  the  old  wound  opened,  and  an 
irresistible  attraction  drew  him  to  the  bewitching 
creature.  He  was  on  the  point  of  rushing  toward 
her  and  clasping  her  with  passionate  fervor  to  his 
breast,  kneeling  at  her  feet  to  plead  for  pardon,  love 
and  happiness,  when  he  felt  a  sharp,  sudden  pang, 
and  pressing  his  hand  upon  his  breast,  touched  the 
gold  locket  and  his  mother's  white  flower  of 
death. 

A  tremor  ran  through  every  limb  ;  his  foot  paused 
and  his  hands  fell  loosely  at  his  side  ;  deadly  pale, 
but  calm  and  cold  as  stone,  he  drew  back.  The  spell 
was  broken. 

Heloise  had  noted  everything.  What  did  he 
wear  on  his  heart?  "  It  must  be  dear  to  him,  dearer 
and  more  precious  than  I."  This  thought  darted 
wildly  through  her  brain,  and  she  slowly  rose. 

"  You  no  longer  love  me,  Gerrald.  I  see  that. 
But  I  do  not  yet  know  what  has  captured  your 
fancy." 

Her  eyes  glittered  like  those  of  a  beast  of  prey 
watching  for  its  booty.  What  did  he  wear  on  his 
heart  ?  She  was  determined  to  learn  at  any  cost, 
and  slowly  approached  him. 

"  Show  me  what  ysu  have  hidden  there,  and  I 
"will  release  yo-u." 


46 


The   Opposite  Hotise. 


He  gazed  at  her  in  stern  astonishment;  then, 
smiling  calmly,  held  up  the  gold  case. 

"  My  talisman,  my  sacred  legacy.  So  long  as  I 
possess  it,  1  am  panoplied  against  you  !" 

One  more  look  at  the  radiant  creature — it  would 
be  the  last — and  his  steps  died  away  on  the  soft 
carpet.  But  the  laughing  butterfly  within  the  room 
raised  her  clenched  right  hand  and,  from  the  depths 
of  her  sorely  wounded  heart,  muttered  a  fierce: 
"  Revenge !" 


CHAPTER  VI. 


MEPHISTOPHELES 


Traugott  Gerrald  was  seated  in  his  light  carriage, 

driving  to  D ,  impatiently,  almost  feverishly, 

longing  to  see  his  golden-haired  neighbor  across 
the  street.  Fragrant  blossoms  laughed  around  him, 
thousands  of  buds  smiling  with  their  bright  eyes  at 
the  beautiful  world  around  them  ;  the  air  echoed 
with  the  jubilant  gladness  of  spring ;  hundreds  of 
feathered  songsters  were  greeting  their  old  home 
with  joyous  melodies.  At  one  side  of  the  road  the 
mill-stream  was  dancing  through  the  waving  grass, 
plashing  saucily  over  the  sharp  stones  which  op- 
posed its  course,  and  around  which  the  forget-me- 
not  twined  its  slender  arms.  Bright  butterflies  flew 
hither  and  thither  on  fluttering  wings ;  glittering 
flies  danced  above  the  waves ;  fleecy  white  clouds 
were  reflected  in  them.  The  whole  world  was 
radiant  with  the  sunny  spring. 

Almost  involuntarily  Traugott  drew  in  his  reins 
and  raised  his  hat.     The  freshness  seemed  to  enter 

[47] 


48  The  Opposite  Hotise. 

his  very  heart,  and  he  smiled  as  he  watched  the 
play  of  two  swallows,  darting  in  zig-zag  lines  through 
the  blue  air,  eluding,  yet  at  last  joining  each  other. 

At  the  same  moment  he  heard  behind  him  the 
rapid  beat  of  a  horse's  hoofs.  A  man  was  urging  a 
snorting  steed  down  the  highway. 

"  Strange,"  thought  Traugott,  "  he  dashes  along 
like  the  Wild  Huntsman  himself  ;"  and  he  turned 
his  own  horses  aside  to  make  room  for  th.e  unknown 
rider. 

But  the  latter  seemed  to  have  other  intentions. 
Stopping  beside  Traugott's  vehicle,  he  raised  his 
hat  courteously : 

"  Have  I  the  pleasure  of  speaking  to  Herr  Ger- 
rald  ?" 

Traugott,  much  surprised,  returned  the  bow. 

"Yes,  my  name  is  Gerrald  !" 

"  I  am  delighted  to  meet  you,"  the  stranger  con- 
tinued. "  I  have  come  directly  from  the  millS;  where 
I  learned  you  had  already  left  your  rooms.  I  wished 
to  do  myself  the  honor  of  renewing  a  very  slight 
acquaintance  and  paying  you  a  visit." 

"  I  really  don't  know — I  am  extremely  sorry  ;  but 
I  cannot  possibly  recall — "  stammered  the  young 
owner  of  the  mills.  The  pale  face,  with  its  pierc- 
ing eyes  and  perpetual  smile,  seemed  familiar. 

"My  name  is  Brand — Doctor  Brand,"  said  the 
horseman,  courteously,  introducing  himself.    "  You 


The  Opposite  House.  49 

will  hardly  remember  me,  as  I,  unfortunately, 
merely  had  the  pleasure  of  a  casual  introduction  at 
Wiesbaden." 

"And  what  procures  me  the  honor  now?"  Trau- 
gott's  features  had  become  cold  and  proud, 

"  I  came  here  to  examine  D thoroughly,  and, 

in  case  it  should  suit  me,  make  it  my  residence," 
the  doctor  continued.  "  Unfortunately,  I  am  a 
total  stranger,  and  would  consider  myself  fortunate 
to  meet  an  acquaintance  who  would  have  the  kind- 
ness to  give  me  a  little  information  about  various 
matters.  Your  name  was  the  only  one  known  to 
me,  so,  perhaps,  my  advance  is  from  very  selfish 
motives." 

"  I  fear  that  I  can  be  of  no  special  assistance  to 
you,"  replied  Gerrald,  with  courteous  reserve.  "  I 
mean  vSO  far  as  introducing  you  into  society  here.  I 
rarely  go  out  now — and — " 

"  Would  prefer,  to  speak  frankly,  to  have  no  re- 
lations with  me  ?"  interrupted  Brand,  smiling, 
though  his  keen  eyes  seemed  to  pierce  the  young 
man's  inmost  heart.  "  Oh,  Gerrald  !"  he  continued, 
while  a  shadow  flitted  over  his  face,  "there  was,  in- 
deed, once  a  time  of  which  I  am  ashamed,  and 
which  jiistifies  the  distrust  you  show  me,  a  period 
you  also  have  experienced — I  mean  the  gaming- 
tables at  Wiesbaden.  I  looked  on  there  while,  by 
my  side,  you  undermined  your  fortune ;  rushed 


^o  The  Opposite  House. 

with  open  eyes  to  meet  ruin,  and  felt  in  the  depths 
of  my  heart  that  I  ought  to  guard  you,  consider 
5''Our  youth,  and  warn  you  against  approaching 
disaster.  I  felt  this,  yet  kept  silence.  You  look  at 
me  sullenly,  Gerrald.  Why  are  you  in  such  sudden 
haste  ?     No,  listen ;  I  must  make  this  confession." 

He  seized  Traugott's  reins  with  an  iron  hand,  and, 
checking  the  impatient  horses,  continued  : 

"  1  watched  you  gamble  for  three  successive  even- 
ings, sympathized  with  you,  was  interested  in 
your  appearance.  It  is  foolish  to  say  that  at  the 
gaming-table  nothing  is  seen  and  heard  save  the 
demon  of  gold  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  was  never  pas- 
sionately fond  of  play.  I  took  part  in  it  merely  to 
see  and  study  others.  It  was  so  in  your  case.  Your 
personal  appearance  attracted  me ;  your  youth 
awakened  my  sympathy ;  you  seemed  to  me  an 
unusual  character.  It  was  probably  the  first  time 
you  had  gambled  ;  there  was  still  opportunity  for  a 
friendly  hand  to  hold  you  back  ;  but  you,  yourself, 
know  the  world,  the  egotistical,  careless  world, 
which  has  so  few  weak  moments.  '  What  is  it  to 
me  ?'  said  a  cruel  voice  in  my  heart.  '  Why  do  you 
meddle  with  other  people's  affairs  to  receive  in- 
gratitude and  rebuffs  in  return  for  your  good-will  ?' 
I  looked  on  as  you  lost,  saw  one  bank-note  after 
another  go  to  the  croupier — looked  on  in  silence. 
So  matters  went  until  you  ceased  to  come.     It 


The  Opposite  House.  5t 

ought  to  have  been  a  matter  of  indifference  to  me. 
Why  should  I  care  whether  you  appeared  or  not  ? 
But  I  seemed  to  miss  something  at  the  green-table. 
I  missed  my  evening  amusement— I  was  bored.  As 
though  forced  by  some  invisible  power,  I  was  com- 
pelled to  follow  you  here,  Gerrald  ;  hear  and  speak 
to  you,  know  you  better.  Do  you  think  me  an 
eccentric  fellow  ?  There  must  be  such  characters. 
Yet  be  assured  that  my  meaning  is  sincere  and 
honest  when  I  offer  my  hand  in  friendship." 

There  was  a  strange  spell  in  this  man's  voice  ;  Its 
tones  were  captivating  and  full  of  sincerity, 

Traugott  clasped  his  proffered  hand,  but  his 
manner  still  showed  the  same  reserve  as  he  re- 
plied : 

"  You  are  welcome,  doctor.  I  am  now  alone  and 
friendless,  and  therefore  feel  doubly  grateful  for 
every  token  of  sympathy.  The  past  which  you 
have  just  mentioned  is  only  a  brief,  dark  scene, 
which  must  be  swallowed  up  in  the  present.  Work, 
exertion,  occupation  make  me  happy  ;  and  when 
you  see  for  yourself  what  new  triumphs  I  am  daily 
achieving,  you  will  understand  what  an  ennobling 
feeling  it  is  to  be  able  to  say  :  '  This  is  my  work, 
for  whose  sake  I  have  toiled  and  struggled,'  " 

Brand  nodded  silently.  His  face  at  that  moment 
wore  quite  a  different  expression  than  usual.  Doc- 
tor Brand's  appearance  was  remarkable.    His  coun- 


52  The  Opposite  House. 

tenance,  though  not  ugly,  had  a  look  which  uncon- 
sciously inspired  fear.  Narrow,  colorless,  with  a 
perpetual  smile  resting  on  the  thin  lips,  it  produced 
the  impression  of  a  white  plaster  cast,  on  whose 
temples  two  blue  veins  have  been  drawn.  Only 
the  deep-set  eyes  gave  life,  a  strange,  wavering  life, 
to  the  face.  Young  girls  shunned  him,  women 
usually  disliked  him,  but  men  laughed  at  both  and 
declared  that  the  doctor  was  an  unusually  interest- 
ing and  agreeable  man.  True,  there  were  some 
sharp  tongues  among  them  which  said  that  Brand 
might  have  served  as  a  model  when  Kaulbach 
sketched  his  Mephistopheles. 

The  doctor  resumed  the  conversation. 

"  You  are  a  happy  man,  and  that  is  enviable  ;  but 
you  lack  one  thing." 

"What  may  that  be?"  asked  Traugott,  smiling. 

"  A  wife,  a  loyal  and  beautiful  companion  for  life. 
Tell  me,  Gerrald,  do  you  wish  to  live  for  yourself 
alone  ?  Whenever  I  have  thought  of  you,  I  have 
always  imagined  an  ideal  maiden  at  your  side." 

Traugott  smiled  mournfully. 

"  I  have  much  to  accomplish  ere  I  can  win  her." 

A  swift  glance  flashed  across  Brand's  face,  the 
glance  of  an  adder,  which  sees  its  victim  in  the  dis- 
tance : 

"  Then  you  know  where  to  turn  to  obtain  her  ?  It 
seems  to  me  that  you  have  already  chosen  I" 


The  Opposite  House.  53 

The  road  led  down  a  slight  hill,  and  Gerrald 
stooped  forward  to  use  the  brake  ;  it  was  probably 
the  bending  posture  which  sent  the  blood  to  his 
face. 

"  I  ?     Whom  should  I  choose?" 

"  Listen,  my  young  friend,"  Brand  replied,  in- 
sinuatingly, leaning  closer  to  hiiu.  "  There  are 
rumors  in  town  of  a  love  affair  with  the  Chenois. 
Is  there  any  truth  in  the  gossip  ?" 

Traugott  started  as  though  the  pale  face  was  a 
viper,  hissing  at  him  with  sparkling  eyes. 

''  No,  no,"  lie  vehemently  exclaimed  ;  "  a  thou- 
sand times  no  !  Who  has  dared  to  say  so  ?  True, 
I  once  paid  homage  to  her,  because  I  was  a  boy 
who  could  be  dazzled  by  the  glitter  of  tinsel ;  now 
everything  is  at  an  end  between  us,  and  I  hope  I 
shall  never  again  be  placed  in  the  embarrassing 
position  of  being  compelled  to  meet  the  lady." 

The  doctor  smiled — a  disagreeable  smile — then 
suddenly  turned  his  horse  to  the  side  of  the  road. 
A  carriage  was  just  dashing  by,  from  which  a  head, 
covered  with  dark  curls,  bent  forward,  and  a  pair 
of  sparkling  eyes  gazed  at  the  two  gentlemen  with 
a  strangely  earnest  expression — a  look  as  swift  and 
keen  as  a  flash  of  lightning  met  Brand's  glance.  He 
answered  it  with  the  same  quickness  and  sharp- 
ness, then  the  equipage  vanished  in  clouds  of  dust. 

A  short  distance  farther  brought   them  to   the 


54  1^^^^  Opposite  House. 

street  in  which  stood  the  two  ancient  gable-houses, 
and  Traugott  stopped  before  his  own  door. 

"  Do  you  live  here  ?"  cried  Brand,  scanning  the 
building  with  a  hasty  glance.  "  An  interesting  old 
edifice !  I  suppose  the  arrangement  is  still  un- 
changed ?  I  am  extravagantly  fond  of  such  things, 
and  even  had  a  great  desire  to  become  an  architect ; 
but,  unluckily,  my  father  put  too  many  difficulties 
in  the  way.  Yes,  my  dear  Gerrald,  you  must  allow 
me  to  see  it  some  day.  No,  thank  you,  not  now," 
he  added,  as  Traugott,  with  a  courteous  gesture,  in- 
vited him  to  dismount.  "  Not  to-day ;  but  I  will 
come  again  soon,  if  you  will  allow  me.  Magnifi- 
cent, matchless  stone-carving!  Au  rcvoir^vay  d.esiV 
friend.  I  congratulate  you  on  possessing  so  pleasant 
a  home."  He  pressed  his  hand  cordially.  "  Fare- 
well !" 

He  had  a  pleasant  way  of  taking  leave  which 
could  not  fail  to  produce  an  agreeable  impression. 
Traugott  thoughtfully  ascended  the  stairs  and 
entered  his  room. 

The  white  curtain  at  the  window  opposite  waved 
slightly,  and  the  boughs  of  the  rose-bushes  were 
swaying  to  and  fro.  Traugott  hastily  approached 
and  greeted  his  Gretchen  with  a  radiant  glance, 
while  in  the  street  below  a  black  steed,  swiftly  and 
noiselessly  as  the  wind,  was  bearing  back  to  the 
highway  its  rider — Mephistopheles. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

A   MEETING. 

A  year  had  passed. 

Twilight  has  gathered  in  Marie's  little  room. 
Deep  shadows  veil  the  fragrant  blossoms  of  the 
monthly  roses,  and  the  darkness  has  lulled  the 
feathered  songsters  to  rest.  Little  can  be  seen  of 
the  faded  splendor  of  the  old-fashioned  articles 
garnered  in  every  corner  with  loving  care  ;  even  the 
portrait  of  Ancestress  Barbara  seems  to  be  veiled 
with  gray  gauze,  and  the  eyes  alone  gaze  down  like 
two  black  spots  upon  the  fair  descendant  who,  lost 
in  thought,  sits  with  her  head  resting  on  her  hand 
among  the  roses. 

Marie  had  thrown  on  a  dark  morning  wrapper  ; 
her  fair  braids  hung  half  disheveled  down  her 
back.  Have  you  ever  chanced  to  see  the  picture  of 
the  "  Sister  of  Charity  "  watching  beside  the  couch 
of  the  young  warrior,  dear  reader  ?  The  face  of  the 
youthful  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  wore  the  same 

[55] 


56  The  Opposite  House. 

calm,  pure,  devout  expression.  She  was  thinking. 
What  was  the  subject  of  her  reverie  ?  The  roses 
poured  forth  a  fragrance  as  exquisite  as  if  they 
could  guess  her  thoughts,  bent  low  over  the  girl's 
golden  head,  and  whispered  into  her  ears  happy- 
ideas  of  love  and  the  fresh  foliage  of  spring,  of  the 
handsome  man  who  lived  in  the  house  opposite,  and 
who  had  such  sparkling  eyes  and  so  lofty  a  brow — 
the  man  who  stood  so  long  at  the  window  to  catch 
a  glance  from  her,  and  who  absorbed  all  her 
thoughts,  whose  name  was  Gerrald,  and  whom  her 
mother  hated  because  he  bore  it ! 

Just  at  that  moment  the  door  softly  opened,  a 
flood  of  lamplight  streamed  into  the  little  room, 
and  Marie  suddenly  started  up  and  took  a  few  steps 
toward  the  door : 

"■  Oh,  it  is  you,  Aunt  Verja  !" 

A  woman's  slender  figure  glided  into  the  little 
room,  and,  holding  the  lamp  aloft,  exclaimed,  in 
clear  musical  tones : 

"  Aha,  here  is  our  little  enthusiast !  Yes,  just  as 
I  imagined,  alone  among  the  roses,  in  a  dark  room. 
Good  heavens,  my  dear,  what  a  pity  that  I  didn't 
bring  some  gentlemen  with  me  ;  there  would  be  a 
dozen  duels  to-morrow  on  account  of  this  charming 
idyl !  But  your  house  is  too  horribly  dark.  I  don't 
understand  how  you  can  stand  it,  child.  1  should 
have  been  frightened  to  death  long  ago." 


The  Opposite  House.  57 

She  set  the  lamp  on  the  table  and  flung  her  ele- 
gant shawl  on  the  nearest  chair,  then  eagerly  put 
her  arm  around  the  young  girl  and  kissed  her  rosy 
cheeks. 

"  You  dear  aunt,"  replied  Marie,  tenderly,  "  have 
you  climbed  all  these  stairs  to  my  hermitage  ?  I 
rarely  have  any  visitors  here,  and  am  doubly  glad 
to  welcome  you." 

"  I  wanted  to  see  your  sanctum  once,"  said  the 
lady,  laughing,  as  she  tossed  her  fan  and  gloves  on 
the  chair  too.  "  I  have  heard  you  talk  of  this 
cabinet  of  curiosities  so  often,  without  ever  gain- 
ing admittance  to  it.  Your  mamma  was  not  in  the 
drawing-room,  so  I  took  a  lamp  and  made  my  way 
up  here.  You  know  I  never  stop  to  consider  long. 
What  should  I  have  done  without  a  lamp  !  Don't 
be  vexed,  Marie,  but  I  think  your  house  is  a  terrible 
place.  These  stairs  and  corners  and  towers  and 
bow-windows  !  Every  time  I  bumped  against  some 
treacherous  beam  or  cupboard  I  thanked  Providence 
that  I  didn't  live  here."  Panting  for  breath,  she 
dropped  into  a  chair  and  drew  Marie  down  upon 
the  stool  at  her  side. 

Aunt  Verja  was  a  wonderfully  pretty  woman — a 
thorough  Russian,  from  the  crown  of  her  head  to  the 
tips  of  her  dainty  feet.  A  piquant,  narrow  little 
face,  with  a  pale  complexion,  as  transparently  deli- 
cate as  the  petal  of  a  flower,  and  with  the  creamy 


58  The  Opposite  House. 

hue  so  beautiful  in  Oriental  women — a  face  to  which 
the  slight  arch  of  the  nose  gave  an  expression  of 
character.  The  eyes  were  large  and  bright — spark- 
ling, yet  often  dreamy  ;  veiled,  as  it  were,  by  be- 
witching melancholy,  then  sparkling  with  sudden 
passion.  The  delicately  outlined  brows  harmonized 
with  the  scarlet  lips,  which,  curled  as  if  in  mockery, 
revealed  the  little  white  teeth  ;  a  mischievous  ex- 
pression often  hovered  around  them  ;  pouting  and 
drollery  alternated  with  every  shade  of  emotion. 

"  A  clever,  interesting  woman  !"  was  the  verdict 

of  D ,  whose  society  people  could  not  sufficiently 

praise  the  beauty  of  the  young  baroness.  "  A  little 
spitfire,  full  of  delightful  caprices  !"  was  probably 
added,  and  then  the  thousand  and  one  charming 
bits  of  mischief  which  she  so  well  understood  how 
to  enact  were  repeated. 

Verja  lived  in  very  handsome  style.  She  had 
married  Frau  von  Rotterswyl's  youngest  brother, 
his  highness's  adjutant,  Baron  von  Kartegg,  who 
idolized  his  charming  wife  and  made  her  the  star 
and  center  of  society  in  D . 

"  Do  you  know,  Marie,"  said  the  young  aunt, 
laughing,  "■  that  I  had  quite  an  interesting  experi- 
ence a  short  time  ago  ?  Just  think,  a  few  weeks 
since  Herr  von  Esen  presented  to  me  a  young  doc- 
tor of  laws,  black  and  white  as  marble — very  briL 
liant  effect— and  who  can  talk,  oh,  wonderfully  !    I 


The  Opposite  House.  59 

conversed  with  him  for  half  an  hour,  and  regretted 
that  I  must  stop  for  propriety's  sake.  It 's  a  pity 
that  his  name  is  merely  Brand  and  the  clever  fellow 
doesn't  belong  to  the  nobility." 

Marie  had  listened  breathlessly. 

"And  does  this  doctor  ride,  aunt?"  she  asked, 
with  glowing  cheeks. 

"  Certainly  ;  and  he  is  a  very  striking  figure  when 
he  dashes  by  on  his  splendid  horse.  He  knows  it, 
too.  '  Pluto  is  the  marrow  of  my  life  !'  he  said  him- 
self." 

Marie  was  of  a  different  opinion.  She  shuddered 
whenever  she  saw  him  at  Gerrald's  side,  yet  she  did 
not  know  why. 

"  I  should  like  to  see  him  again,"  Verja  eagerly 
went  on.  "  I  7nust  see  him  for  certain  reasons,  but 
where?  But  stay — he  rides  to  the  Gerrald  mills 
every  day  at  three  o'clock  to  see  young  Gerrald  ! 
By  the  way,  it  must  be  a  year  now  since  the  latter's 
mother  died  ;  he  '11  probably  shake  off  his  mourning 
all  the  more  suddenly  now,  because  he  is  such  an 
odd  fellow.  How  quickly  time  passes  !  I  '11  tell 
you,  Marie,  we  '11  go  out  to  drive  at  three  o'clock 
to-morrow ;  you  '11  accompany  me,  won't  you,  pet  ? 
I  '11  call  for  you  in  my  pony  carriage,  and  we  '11 
drive  to  the  mills.  The  road  is  said  to  be  very 
pretty  ;  at  least  perfectly  shaded.  Be  ready  at  the 
exact  hour.     I  should  be  frantic  if  we  missed  him." 


6o  The  Opposite  House. 

Frau  von  Kartegg  released  Marie  from  her  em- 
brace and  glanced  hastily  at  the  clock,  then  rushed 
to  the  chair  and  wrapped  the  shawl  around  her 
beautiful  shoulders. 

"  Will  you  go  to  the  opera  with  me,  Marie  ? 
There  is  a  vacant  seat  in  our  box.  It  is  '  Tann- 
hauser.' " 

"  Not  this  evening,  aunt ;  some  other  time." 

"  As  you  choose,  pet.  Meanwhile,  I  '11  tell  your 
mother  that  it  is  time  for  you  to  make  your  entrance 
into  society.  To-morrow  at  three,  then  ?  My  lord 
and  master  sends  his  kindest  remembrances  to  you. 
He  has  gone  with  Prince  George  to  G— — ,  or  he 
would  have  come  with  me.  So  good-by,  and  be 
sure  to  be  punctual." 

Then  the  slender  figure  glided  out  of  the  room, 
Marie  following  with  the  lamp.  The  old  house  was 
too  full  of  nooks  and  corners.  But  the  moonbeams 
stole  through  the  window  and  quivered  over  the 
roses,  which  poured  forth  an  almost  stupefying  per- 
fume as  they  bent  whispering  toward  the  ancient 
portrait,  which  gazed  down  at  them  with  a  proud 

smile. 

****** 

It  is  delightful  to  dash  through  the  bright  sun- 
shine, vying  with  the  birds,  whose  broad  pinions 
cleave  the  blue  air  as  they  soar  joyously  to  the  light 
spring  clouds ;  delightful  to  have  the  aromatic  air 


The  Opposite  House.  6i 

fan  the  brow  caressingly,  banishing  all  dark 
thoughts  and  fancies. 

Marie  had  leaned  back  in  the  carriage  and,  with 
eyes  half  closed,  was  dreaming  amid  all  this  splen- 
dor of  another  happiness,  far  brighter  and  more 
divine,  whose  radiant  sun  is  called  Love,  and  which 
hides  behind  many  ?  cloud  gathered  by  grief  and 
longing. 

Verja  could  not  keep  quiet.  Her  whole  nature 
rebelled  against  meditation,  and  to  be  wholly  alone 
with  one's  own  thoughts  appeared  to  her  the  most 
tiresome  occupation  possible  for  a  human  being. 
Even  now  her  dark  eyes  were  roving  eagerly  over 
the  broad  plains,  sometimes  kindling  with  sudden 
interest,  sometimes  resting  wearily  on  the  green 
tree-tops. 

Opening  and  closing  her  elegant  fan  excitedly, 
she  half  turned  back  in  her  seat,  saying : 

"  It 's  too  bad ;  half -past  three  already,  and  noth- 
ing in  sight.  Jonas,  walk  the  horses.  Oh,  Marie,  I 
should  be  frantic,  miserable,  if  he  did  not  come.  I 
have  a  plan  for  introducing  Brand  into  society  at 
court,  spite  of  his  plebeian  birth.  I  've  so  set  my 
heart  upon  it  and  arranged  everything  so  cleverly, 
nothing  would  induce  me  to  give  it  up.  Dear  me  ! 
No,  it  isn't  he  !"  She  angrily  averted  her  head. 
"  I  almost  mistook  a  market-wagon  for  the  clever 
Brand." 


62  The  uppostie  J-iottse^ 

Marie  began  to  laugh. 

"  You  are  certainly  very  much  excited,  dear 
aunt,"  she  said,  in  a  jesting  tone.  "  How  can  you 
think  of  society  amid  this  beautiful  scenery  ?" 

"  Oh,  nonsense  about  nature  !"  replied  Frau  von 
Kartegg.  "  I  don't  understand  how  you  can  feel  so 
little  interest.  I  assure  you  that  I  shall  have  no 
peace  until  the  doctor  sits  beside  me  at  the  prin- 
cess's musicalc,  and  if  I  turn  D upside  down,  I 

will  accomplish  my  purpose." 

She  pouted  with  an  air  of  the  most  charming 
defiance,  and  shielded  her  eyes  from  the  sunbeams 
with  her  fan. 

"  Where  was  this  famous  personage  all  last  sum- 
mer ?"  asked  Marie.  "I  didn't  see  him  ride  by  at 
all  for  a  time,  and  he  was  often  absent  weeks." 

"  He  travelled  a  great  deal,"  replied  Verja,  ab- 
sently, "  but  now  he  intends  to  remain  here  entirely." 
She  bent  sideways  a  little.  "  Marie  !" — she  clutched 
her  niece's  hand  with  an  iron  grasp — "look  there — 
over  yonder — two  horsemen." 

The  young  baroness  started. 

"  Two  horsemen  ?"  she  slowly  repeated.  "  I 
thought  you  expected  no  one  but  the  doctor  ?" 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Verja,  raising  her  lorgnette, 
"  the  other  must  be  young  Gerrald  himself.  Look 
again,  and  don't  be  so  tiresome  —  quick,  Marie. 
Well?" 


The  Opposite  House.  63 

The  young  girl,  trembling,  bent  forward  from  the 
carriage. 

"I  don't  know  either  of  them,"  she  said,  without 
reflecting  how  the  vivid  flush  which  crimsoned  her 
cheeks  belied  her  words.  Verja  was  too  much  ab- 
sorbed by  her  own  thoughts  to  notice  it. 

"  Lean  back  !"  she  said,  smiling.  "  One,  two — 
you  must  bow  when  I  do.  Will  you  remember, 
petite?"  She  leaned  carelessly  among  the  cushions 
and  seemed  to  be  thinking  only  of  her  fan,  which 
she  negligently  opened  and  shut,  or  balanced  on  her 
finger.  Marie  scarcely  dared  to  breathe.  The 
horsemen  slowly  approached — the  carriage-horses 
were  walking. 

The  fair-haired  man  started  and  gazed  silently  at 
the  lovely  little  face.  How  quickly  the  expression  of 
his  features  changed,  gaining  new  life  !  Marie  tim- 
idly raised  her  long  lashes,  and  for  an  instant  their 
eyes  met. 

Doctor  Brand  cast  a  swift  glance  at  his  com- 
panion, smiled — and  raised  his  hat.  Meanwhile, 
Verja's  fan  slipped  from  her  hand  and  fell  into  the 
road.  Brand,  with  a  hasty  movement,  turned  Pluto 
and  reached  the  carriage-door,  exclaiming : 

"  Your  fan,  madam."  Then,  with  the  speed  of 
thought,  he  sprang  from  the  saddle,  raised  the  lost 
article,  and,  bowing  courteously,  presented  it  to  the 
owner. 


64  The  Opposite  House. 

Verja  thanked  him  gayly  : 

"  Just  think,  my  dear  doctor,  I  didn't  recognize 
you,  spite  of  my  good  eyes  and  the  broad  daylight." 

Brand  had  remounted  and  turned  his  horse. 

"You  are  very  kind,  baroness!"  he  answered 
very  chivalrously.  "  It  is  honor  enough  to  occupy  a 
small  place  in  your  memory.  If  you  will  permit 
me,  I  will  venture  to  strengthen  it  by  keeping  my 
position  here  at  your  side." 

"  Certainly,"  said  the  Russian,  nodding  a  gracious 
assent ;  "  it  will  be  a  thousand  times  more  entertain- 
ing to  have  some  society  while  pursuing  this 
monotonous  road,  that  we  may  at  least  exchange 
thoughts.  Permit  me  to  make  you  acquainted  with 
my  niece,  Doctor  Brand — Fraulein  von  Rotters- 
wyl." 

Both  bowed  silently,  then  Brand  asked  if  he 
might  present  his  companion,  and  in  response  to 
Verja's  assent,  he  turned  hastily  and  beckoned  to 
the  young  owner  of  the  mill. 

"  Permit  me,  ladies — Herr  Gerrald." 

Traugott  bowed  with  quiet  dignity.  The  hand- 
some man,  proudly  erect  on  his  rearing  steed, 
presented  an  attractive  picture,  at  which  Frau  von 
Kartegg  gazed  with  sparkling  eyes. 

Brand  obstinately  maintained  his  place  at  the 
side  of  the  young  baroness.  Traugott  had  time 
only  to  exchange  a  few  hasty  words,  then  he  was 


The  Opposite  House.  65 

obliged  to  turn  his  horse  and  ride  beside  the  oppo- 
site door. 

Marie  was  flushed  and  embarrassed ;  the  young 
mill-owner,  too,  seemed  strangely  agitated. 

"  I  believe  I  have  the  honor  of  being  your  neigh- 
bor, Frdiilem,'"  he  said,  bending  toward  her.  And 
Marie  trembled  at  the  sound  of  the  deep  tones, 
which  hitherto  she  had  heard  only  in  her  dreams. 

"  At  least  I  am  familiar  with  your  name,  Herr 
Gerrald,"  she  answered,  softly.  "  I  liked  to  look  at 
your  house,  it  seemed  so  ancient  and  vener- 
able." 

Traugott  could  not  turn  his  eyes  from  the  embar 
rassed  little  face,  whose  large  blue  eyes  were  raised 
to  his.  It  was  the  first  time  he  had  been  so  near 
her.  Was  she  really  beautiful  ?  Her  features  were 
by  no  means  regular,  but  delicate  and  full  of  feel- 
ing, and  the  expression  of  the  eyes,  the  golden 
curls  clustering  around  the  temples,  and  the  sweet 
girlish  charm  of  her  whole  appearance  rendered  her 
irresistibly  fascinating. 

"  Yes,  our  old  house  is  interesting,  is  it  not?"  he 
asked,  smiling.  "  Doctor  Brand  became  very  en- 
thusiastic over  the  stone  carving  and  the  interior 
arrangement ;  he  has  discovered  a  quantity  of 
treasures  and  marvels,  which  I  should  probably 
never  have  suspected.  I  mean  curios,  which  re- 
quire a  taste  for  antiquities." 


66  The  Opposite  House. 

"  And  secret  doors,  cellars  and  corridors  ?  Aunt 
Verja  is  always  afraid  when  she  visits  us,"  replied 
Marie,  in  a  jesting  tone,  with  a  mischievous  side- 
glance,  for  his  quiet  manner  restored  her  confidence. 
"  We  have  an  endless  number  of  corners  and  nooks, 
too,  till  one  reaches  a  bow-windowed  room,  and  at 
night  people  who  were  afraid  of  ghosts  would  have 
a  sad  time  with  us." 

"  Aha !  Then  the  rose-window  in  the  upper  story- 
is  your  domain  ?"  he  said,  slowly.  "  I  think  I  often 
see  you  at  the  window,  baroness." 

"  Mamma  gave  up  the  room  to  me,"  she  answered, 
nodding,  with  a  faint  blush.  "  She  has  more  space 
than  she  requires  in  the  rest  of  the  house,  and  I 
have  arranged  everything  to  please  myself,  col- 
lected all  my  treasures  there,  the  roses  and  finches 
and — Ancestress  Barbara." 

"  Marie,  how  long  is  it  since  the  minister's  wife 
went  away?"  interposed  Verja,  turning  toward  her. 
"You  were  speaking  of  it  just  now." 

"  Five  days,"  replied  the  niece ;  and  Frau  von 
Kartegg  again  raised  her  eyes  to  the  handsome 
horseman,  who  pleased  her  iaxicy.  Then  she  turned 
to  her  protdgd  to  give  further  instructions. 

"Ancestress  Barbara?"  repeated  Traugott, 
thoughtfully.  "  Is  that  the  oil  painting  which 
hangs  close  by  your  window?" 

Marie  sileatlv  bent  her  head  in  assent. 


The  Opposite  House .  67 

"  And  you  include  that  portrait  among  your 
treasures?" 

What  strange  questions  he  could  ask  ! 

"  Yes,"  the  young  girl  confessed  frankly,  raising 
her  eyes  to  his.  "  I  am  very,  very  fond  of  my  pale 
ancestress.  She  has  often  been  my  only  compan- 
ion when  I  was  alone  and  sorrowful ;  when  no  one 
else  cared  for  me  she  always  understood  and — " 

"  That  is  why  you  took  your  friend  from  the  gal- 
lery to  the  quiet  bow- window  room?" 

There  was  a  strangely  set  expression  upon  the 
young  man's  lips ;  he  gazed  at  her  with  a  fixed, 
earnest  look. 

"  No,"  replied  Marie,  sorrowfully.  "  Mamma  did 
not  like  the  portrait,  and  because  it  had  long  been 
in  the  attic,  she  let  it  stay  there,  and  was  even  un- 
willing to  permit  me  to  take  it.  This  grieved  me, 
so  I  cared  doubly  for  it,  and  gradually  learned  to 
love  the  portrait.  I  was  alone,  like  Barbara ;  so  we 
suited  each  other." 

"  Do  you  know  the  history  of  that  portrait?"  He 
bent  lower,  and  gazed  intently  into  her  eyes. 

"  Yes,  I  know  Barbara  Gerrald's  story."  A  shadow 
crossed  her  face,  and  she  tossed  her  head  almost 
defiantly.  "  I  know  it,  and  yet  I  love  her.  That  is 
strange,  isn't  it,  Herr  Gerrald  ?"  She  gazed  quietly 
at  him ;  a  faint  flush  tinged  her  cheeks,  but  her 
lips  still  smiled. 


68  The  Opposite  House. 

His  face  "brigiitened,  as  if  illumined  by  a  sudden 
flood  of  sunshine,  and  he  turned  hastily  to 
curb  his  horse,  which,  rearing,  resisted  his  con- 
trol. 

"  Ancestress  Barbara  will  bless  you  for  it — and 
that  other,  too,"  he  added,  hesitatingly,  grasping  his 
bridle  still  more  closely,  "  who  loved  her.  What  can 
I  do  for  you,  madam  ?" 

"  I  asked  you  to  come  over  to  this  side  and 
answer  a  few  questions,"  repeated  Verja,  gayly. 
"  Don't  you  see  you  are  on  the  verge  of  falling  into 
the  ditch,  Herr  Gerrald?  Jonas,  keep  in  the  middle 
of  the  road." 

Traugott  glanced  aside.  Yes,  his  horse  was 
barely  a  hand's  breadth  from  the  ditch  ;  he  would 
have  plunged  into  it  at  the  next  bend  of  the  road. 
The  instantaneous  consciousness  of  awkwardness 
which  he  felt  as  a  skillful  rider,  and  Brand's  pecul- 
iar smile,  sent  the  blood  to  his  cheeks.  He  let  the 
carriage  pass,  turned  his  horse,  and  crossed  to  the 
side  of  the  beautiful  baroness,  who  received  him 
with  a  gay  jest. 

"  Incredible  !"  she  cried  merrily.  "What  an  in- 
teresting conversation  you  must  have  been  carrying 
on  to  make  you  forget  the  gulf  at  your  side ;  or  was 
it  the  perfume  of  the  spring  blossoms?  By  the 
way,  Marie,  you  are  losing  your  rose." 

Doctor  Brand  laughed  more  loudly  than  usual, 


The  Opposite  House.  69 

and   murmured  a  courteous :   "  Charming !"   while 
Traugott  g?red  gravely  down  at  the  little  lady. 

"  It  is  true  that  I  have  the  misfortune  of  being 
disconcerted  by  any  unexpected  incident,"  answered' 
Gerrald,  trying  to  smile.  "  Besides,  I  am  really  a 
great  lover  of  flowers,  and  it  is  pardonable  if  one 
does  become  a  little  confused  by  unexpectedly  find- 
ing such  rare  blossoms  by  the  roadside.  And  then, 
I  have  had  so  little  opportunity  of  meeting  ladies 
of  late  that  the  pleasant  accident  might  well  em- 
barrass me." 

His  features  had  grown  still  graver,  and  Verja's 
jesting  mood  vanished  under  the  mournful  glance 
which  met  her  eyes. 

"  I  heard  of  your  loss,  last  year,  with  sincere  re- 
gret," she  answered  sympathizingly,  "  and  can 
understand  your  grief  the  better  because  only  a 
few  twelvemonths  ago  I  stood  beside  my  own 
mother's  death-bed  !  My  husband's  self-sacrificing 
love  made  the  wound  heal  more  quickly,  and  the 
many  proofs  of  friendship  I  received  also  contributed 
to  divert  my  thoughts.  Are  you  entirely  alone  in 
the  world?" 

"  Entirely." 

"  Have  you  no  relatives  whom  you  could  join  .?" 

Gerrald  shook  his  head. 

"  No  one  in  the  whole  wide  world  ?" 

Verja's  heart  quivered  at  the  sound  of  his  voice. 


70  The  Opposite  House. 

A  sincere  interest  was  awakened  for  this  man,  who 
was  so  handsome,  so  young  and  so  desolate. 

"  You  live  entirely  aloof  from  society,  I  have 
heard,"  she  continued.  "  Have  you  no  friends  to 
whom  you  could  express  your  feelings  ?" 

"  No,"  he  answered  sadly.  "  I  have  learned  to 
despise  society.  Brand  was  the  only  person  who 
sought  me,  and  to  him  alone  I  owe  this  happy  hour, 
madam." 

Verja  looked  at  him  kindly.  His  sincere  manner 
pleased  her,  perhaps  on  account  of  its  rarity. 

"  Doctor  Brand  intends  to  enter  society  here,"  she 
answered.  "  He  has  promised  to  call  on  me  ;  but 
since  you  hate  the  world,"  she  added,  mischievously, 
"  I  cannot  possibly  hope  ever  to  welcome  you  to  our 
circle." 

"  Oh,  madam,"  he  exclaimed,  a  deep  flush  crim- 
soning his  brow,  "  I  hate  the  world  only  to  honor 
individuals  the  more  sincerely.  Would  you  permit 
me  to  accompany  my  friend  ?" 

"  You  will  always  be  a  welcome  guest,  Herr  Ger- 
rald,"  replied  the  baroness,  with  a  gracious  bend  of 
the  head.  "  Unfortunately,  the  court-mourning 
prohibits  any  large  entertainments,  but  it  has  issued 
no  edict  against  friendly  visits." 

She  raised  her  fan  to  protect  herself  against  the 
sun,  which  was  sending  its  golden  beams  into  her 
smiling  face. 


The  Opposite  House.  71 

Marie  had  heard  every  word  and  fancied  that  her 
heart  must  stand  still  in  her  delight.  A  swift  glance 
sought  Gerrald  ;  he  met  it  and  smiled.  Then  her 
attention  was  again  claimed  by  Doctor  Brand,  who 
was  giving  a  very  interesting  description  of  the  de- 
velopment of  spring  blossoms,  and  sometimes  inter- 
weaving a  little  comparison  to  its  resemblance  to 
the  dawning  of  love  in  the  human  heart. 

Meanwhile  the  fleecy  white  clouds  floated  high 
above  in  the  spring  heavens,  and  the  wooded  hills 
rose  on  both  sides  of  the  road.  Everything  was 
calm  and  still  save  that  through  the  green  foliage 
echoed  the  notes  of  a  song  : 

**  A  youth  saw  a  rosebud  blooming, 
A  rosebud  on  the  moor." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


IN   THE   SNARE. 


Pluto  was  taking  his  daily  exercise,  moving  at  an 
easy  trot  down  the  highway  toward  the  mills. 

On  arriving,  Doctor  Brand  flung  the  reins  to  a 
groom  and  ran  up  the  stone  steps.  Gerrald,  hat  in 
hand,  met  him  at  the  door. 

"Shall  I  interrupt  you?"  he  asked  hastily.  "I 
have  come  only  for  a  few  minutes." 

"  By  no  means,  my  dear  friend,"  replied  Traugott, 
courteously,  taking  his  arm.  "  You've  come  just  in 
time  to  be  my  guest.  It  will  be  a  pleasant  change 
to  dine  in  your  society." 

*'  Oh,  no,"  protested  Brand.  "  I  won't  interrupt 
your  noon  rest.  I  am  here  merely  to  make  an 
inquiry." 

f72j 


The  Opposite  House.  y^ 

"  We  '11  talk  about  that  later,"  replied  Traugott. 
"  It  would  be  a  fine  thing  if  I  let  you  go  after  a 
three-minute  visit.  Perhaps,  however,  a  Lucullian 
banquet  awaits  you,  in  which  case,  of  course,  my 
simple  meal  must  retire  into  the  background." 

"  Oh,  no,  no,"  said  Brand,  with  a  courteous  bow. 
"  I  shall  lose  nothing  at  he  me,  and  should  consider 
myself  fortunate  in  accepting  your  invitation  in 
preference  to  any  other,  but — " 

"  Then  pray  let  us  have  no  '  buts  '  and  no  compli- 
ments. You  know  that  you  are  welcome,  and  as  a 
friend,  you  certainly  ought  to  go  in  and  out  of  my 
house  without  ceremony." 

He  drew  back  to  let  the  doctor  enter,  and  after  a 
little  more  hesitation  the  latter  accepted. 

The  young  mill-owner's  room  was  very  tastefully 
and  comfortably  furnished. 

"  Your  little  den  is  delightful,"  said  Brand,  turn- 
ing to  Gerrald,  who  was  drawing  the  curtain  to  shut 
out  the  sunlight  that  glided  inquisitively  over  the 
carved  writing-desk  and  cast  a  shimmering  glow 
upon  the  velvet  covering  of  the  sofa.  "  But,  tell 
me,  my  dear  Gerrald,  don't  you  sometimes  feel 
rather  dull  in  this  lonely  hermitage  ?" 

"Oh,  yes,"  Traugott  quietly  assented.  "It  is 
often  very  melancholy,  more  sorrowful  than  you 
can  imagine.  Especially  when,  as  I  sit  alone  and 
desolate,  a  thousand  memories  of  the  past  arise,  and 


74  1^^^  Opposite  House. 

in  the  silence  and  gloom  it  is  impossible  to  banish 
sad  thoughts."  Taking  a  pistol  from  the  wall,  he 
handed  it  to  the  visitor :  "  Look,  this  is  an  old 
weapon  which  will  interest  you.  I  inherited  it  from 
my  grandfather.  And  to  think  that  we  are  using 
similar  firearms  now !" 

Brand  gazed  admiringly  at  the  old-fashioned  pis- 
tol and  examined  the  ancient  lock. 

''  But  really,  my  dear  friend,  I  must  say  frankly 
that  I  don't  understand  why  you  live  so  completely 
secluded  from  the  world,"  he  remarked  carelessly, 
snapping  the  trigger  up  and  down.  "  Under  these 
circumstances,  it  really  wouldn't  be  at  all  surprising 
if  you  should  become  a  thorough  hypochondriac. 
The  period  of  your  mourning  is  over,  and  although 
I  don't  blame  you  in  the  least  for  avoiding  gay 
society  and  keeping  out  of  it  as  much  as  possible  ; 
indeed,  1  can  understand  your  feeling  perfectly,  still 
I  think  it  is  not  healthful  to  carry  the  matter  too 
far.  An  overdose  of  medicine  produces  an  effect 
just  opposite  to  what  is  desired  ;  so  let  me  for  once 
be  your  physician  and  cure  you  of  all  these  gloomy 
fancies.  You  know  that  I  comprehend  your  feel- 
ings and  mean  honestly  and  sincerely  by  you  ;  so 
trust  yourself  confidently  to  my  care,  my  dear  Ger- 
rald,  and  rest  assured  that  I  will  always  give  you 
the  right  dose." 

Traugott,  sighing,  held  out  his  hand  to  him. 


The  Opposite  House.  75 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  good  will,  Brand,"  he  an- 
swered sadly,  "but  I  shall  probably  be  compelled  to 
follow  alone  the  path  which  I  have  now  entered.  I 
have  found  two  effective  remedies  for  old  wounds, 
physical  and  mental  exertion.  They  afford  the 
only  balm  for  such  ails." 

"  Followed  by  rest  and  a  little  recreation,"  Brand 
remarked,  with  strong  emphasis,  suppressing  the 
sarcastic  smile  which  hovered  around  his  lips. 

Traugott  interrupted  the  conversation  by  in- 
viting Brand  to  dinner,  which  had  just  been  an- 
nounced. 

Conversation  between  the  two  men  was  very 
animated,  and  the  champagne  had  no  little  share 
in  rousing  Traugott  from  his  cheerless  mood  ;  so, 
when  the  host  and  guest  sat  comfortably  together 
over  a  cup  of  coffee,  puffing  clouds  of  smoke  into 
the  air,  Doctor  Brand  could  pursue  his  plan  of  cam- 
paign. 

Knocking  the  ashes  thoughtfully  from  the  end  of 
his  cigar,  he  drew  a  carved  mouth-piece  from  its 
case  : 

"  I  think  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  go  to  the 
casino  and  drink  a  glass  of  beer  !  The  heat  is 
abominable  for  the  lovely  month  of  May,  which, 
this  year,  seems  to  be  a  perfect  parody  on  Heine. 
Do  you  feel  no  longing  for  Hebe?" 

"If  that  is  all,"  replied  Traufjott,  smiling,  "we 


76  The  Opposite  Housed 

need  not  leave  here.  I  '11  give  you  my  word  of 
honor  that  m)'-  old  wine  cellar  is  still  very  respect- 
ably stocked,  and  that  you  will  find  good  liquor  in 
the  ancient  merchant-house." 

Brand  smoothed  his  mustache. 

"  I  didn't  doubt  that  an  instant,  my  good  friend," 
he  said,  with  a  graceful  gesture  of  acknowledgment ; 
"  the  whole  house  is  planned  for  a  good  cellar  ;  and 
I  always  say  :  '  Wherever  the  Lord  puts  a  cellar  he 
rolls  the  casks  into  it.'  The  ancestral  Gerralds 
seemed  to  me  to  have  been  no  laymen  in  the  chap- 
ter of  natural  history  concerning  the  noble  fruit  of 
the  vine.  Well,  you  are  their  worthy  son.  But, 
we  '11  reserve  this  pleasure  for  another  day.  Let  us 
seek  a  few  old  acquaintances  now  and  refresh  our- 
selves with  a  glass  of  porter." 

"  To  be  frank,  I  feel  no  inclination  to  meet  old 
acquaintances.  It  is  uncomfortable  to  see  them, 
after  having  avoided  their  society  so  long." 

"  But,  for  heaven's  sake,  my  dear  Gerrald,"  cried 
his  companion,  "  do  you  mean  to  play  hermit  for- 
ever ?  I  appreciate  your  determination  not  to  return 
to  the  old  mode  of  life,  and  you  know  my  opinion  of 
it ;  but  I  don't  think  you  ought  to  shut  yourself  out 
of  society  entirely.  There  are  too  many  evil 
tongues  who  might  interpret  it  in  a  disadvanta- 
geous way,  now  that  there  is  no  excuse  on  account  of 
your  mourning,  and  your  ^^dit  might  be  injured." 


The  Opposite  House.  77 

Traugott  gazed  at  the  speaker  with  a  troubled 
expression  : 

''  Impossible.     How  could — " 

"  You  do  not  yet  know  the  world,  my  young 
friend  !"  interrupted  Brand,  with  a  smile  of  superi- 
ority. **A  young  hot-head  ^'ke  yourself  judges  a 
picture  solely  by  its  colors.  What  you  have  hitherto 
seen  of  society  consisted  merely  of  illusions — masks, 
which  dazzled  by  vivid  contrasts.  I  have  looked 
behind  the  scenes  a  long  time,  and  found  many  a 
ragged  bit  of  tinsel  which,  with  the  proper  light, 
produced  an  admirable  effect  ;  but,  when  the  lamps 
were  screwed  down  and  by  accident  the  bright  sun- 
shine streamed  in,  the  spell  vanished,  and  all  the 

impish  faces  appeared  through  the  glitter.     D 

is  the  focus  of  all  sorts  of  gossip,  and  a  young  man 
like  yourself,  who  stimulates  curiosity  and  has  at- 
tracted attention,  turn  and  twist  as  he  will,  is,  and 
always  will  be,  the  trial  block  on  which  everybody 
feels  bound  to  inscribe  something.  Believe  me, 
my  dear  Gerrald,  that  I  mean  honestly  by  you,  and 
can  judge  of  your  position  the  better  because  I  hear 
on  all  sides  the  most  inconsiderate  and  varied 
opinions,  and,  therefore,  formed  my  plan  on  them. 
That  your  sudden  disappearance  was  attributed  to 
every  possible  and  impossible  motive  and  led  to  the 
wildest  rumors,  is  a  fact  probably  not  unknown  to 
yourself!" 


yS  The  Opposite  House. 

A  slight  frown  darkened  Traugott's  brow. 

"  Worthy  folk,"  he  answered,  not  without  a  touch 
of  resentment,  "  what  atrocities  will  they  not  asso- 
ciate with  my  insignificant  self  ?  I  believe  that, 
were  my  back  twice  as  broad,  it  could  not  bear  the 
burden  of  all  the  enigmas  connected  with  my  every 
movement." 

"  Yes,  you  have  really  become  a  perfect  enigma," 
answered  Doctor  Brand,  laughing  ;  "  and  if  you  had 
a  hundred  more  sides  to  show,  each  would  be  repre- 
sented as  a  Janus  head  with  two  faces.  Well,  don't 
worry  about  it,  but  trust  entirely  to  me.  I  '11  act 
for  you,  as  a  friend  should,  and  see  that  Dame  Gos- 
sip will  soon  lack  material  for  any  fresh  fairy  tales." 

"  I  thank  you,  Brand,"  said  Traugott,  earnestly. 
"  I  am  in  a  very  uncomfortable  position,  and  you 
are  right.  Turn  and  twist  as  I  may,  I  can  no  longer 
justify  myself  to  any  one." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A  CONFIDENTIAL  CHAT. 

Night  had  closed  in  earlier  than  usual,  and  while 
yesterday  at  this  hour  people  had  sat  at  their  win- 
dows reading  and  working,  to-day  lamps  were 
already  placed  on  many  a  table,  and  looks  of  vexa- 
tion were  raised  to  the  dark,  starless  sky  ere  the 
curtains  were  lowered. 

Heloise  was  leaning  against  her  window,  softly 
humming  a  popular  dance  tune,  and  occasionally 
amusing  herself  by  having  her  shaggy  Bolognese 
lap-dog  bring  her  the  little  satin  slipper  she  skill- 
fully tossed  into  the  air,  and,  when  a  whine  from 
Molly  announced  that  she  was  hit  by  it,  the  dancer 
laughed  merrily  and  flung  her  a  biscuit,  a  payment 
which  needed  to  be  very  frequently  repeated. 

"I  don't  want  a  light;  take  it  away!"  she  said, 
curtly,  without  vouchsafing  the  maid  a  single 
glance.     "  Here,   take   Molly,  too ;    the  creature's 

[79] 


8o  The  Opposite  House. 

eternal  whining  is  insufferable.  I  '11  get  an  Ulm 
mastiff ;  at  least  it  will  have  a  better  voice."  She 
picked  up  the  animal  as  she  spoke,  gave  its  cold 
nose  a  farewell  pat,  and  flung  it  somewhat  roughly 
into  Susanne's  apron.  The  girl  vanished  with  a 
pleasant  nod.  "  This  Brand  is  a  terrible  rake !" 
murmured  Heloise,  impatiently.  "  I  've  been  wait- 
ing an  hour  already,  and  that 's  certainly  a  delightful 
occupation."  She  took  a  few  hasty  steps  across  the 
boudoir,  and  her  attention  was  attracted  by  two 
notes  which  she  had  tossed  carelessly  on  the  table. 
Now  ennui  awakened  her  curiosity.  She  mounted 
a  chair  to  light  the  burner  in  the  chandelier,  and 
then  opened  the  envelopes.  This  momentarily 
diverted  her  thoughts,  and  was  certainly  a  bit  of 
good  fortune  for  Doctor  Brand,  who,  wrapped  in  a 
dark  cloak,  was  just  ringing  the  door-bell. 

"  Mademoiselle  !"  Heloise  was  reading  meanwhile,  "  permit  me 
to  ask  a  respectful  question.  Your  conduct,  of  late,  has  been 
extremely  extravagant  and  offensive  to  me,  perhaps  too  harsh  to 
be  attributed  to  mere  caprice.  You  know  that  my  regard  for  you 
is  too  deep  for  me  to  endure  all  these  whims  and  torments  longer, 
and  I  earnestly  beseech  you  either  to  treat  me  more  kindly  or  to 
accept  in  these  lines  my  last  farewell. 

"  LoTHAR,  Prince  von  X." 

The  dancer  laughed  and  flung  the  note  back  on 
the  table,  then  she  turned  toward  the  door  where 
Doctor  Brand  had  just  appeared.  The  poor  man 
received  a  welcome  by  no  means  cordial,  though  he 
kissed  her  hand  with  unchanged  tenderness. 


TJie  Opposite  Hotcse. 


"  Why  are  you  so  late  ?"  asked  Heloise,  almost 
rudely.     "  I  expected  you  at  seven  o'clock." 

"  It  was  impossible,  absolutely  impossible,  my 
queen !"  he  said  apologetically,  letting  his  slender 
figure  drop  into  an  arm-chair.  "  I  have  had  a  great 
deal  to  do,  Heloise  ;  and  have  accomplished  a  great 
deal  also,"  he  added  significantly. 

"What?  Tell  me  about  it!"  she  exclaimed  hur- 
riedly, drawing  her  chair  closer.  "  Quick,  is  he  the 
same  man  he  used  to  be?" 

"  Dear  me,  signora,''  replied  Brand,  laughing,  as 
he  coolly  drew  off  his  gloves,  "do  you  suppose 
things  move  at  such  a  rapid  rate  ?  Every  matter 
requires  time,  and  at  present  I  am  very  well  satis- 
fied to  have  progressed  so  far." 

"  How  far  ?"  she  inquired,  with  sparkling  eyes. 

"  It  is  a  long  story,  which  cannot  be  told  in  two 
words — or  yes,  it  might  be  done,  but,  of  course,  in 
that  case  many  interesting  details  would  be  lost ! 
But  first,  my  dear  friend,  let  me  ask  if  you  haven't 
some  warm  drink,  which  will  strengthen  the  nerves. 
It  is  horrible  weather,  and  I  'm  chilled  to  the  bone  ! 
A  tremendous  gale,  driving  showers  of  rain  into 
one's  face,  and  at  times  the  contents  of  a  gutter 
poured  down  one's  back.  Aha,  what  rose-colored 
note  have  you  here  ?  '  Lothar?'  From  the  prince? 
Pardon  me,  I  must  glance  through  it.  I  don't  see 
letters  from  royalty  every  day  !"     He  took  the  per- 


82  The  Opposite  House. 

fumed  missive  from  the  table  and  read  its  contents. 
"  These  are  fine  doings,  Heloise/'  he  said  angrily. 
"  What  induced  you  to  offend  the  man  in  this  way. 
Do  you  want  to  break  off  your  intimacy  with  him  ?" 

The  dancer  shrugged  her  shoulders  indiffer- 
ently. 

"  If  he  continues  to  write  me  such  silly  notes,  1 
shall  probably  be  compelled  to  do  so,"  she  said 
sharply,  with  a  saucy  toss  of  her  little  head.  "  Do 
you  suppose  I  could  laugh  and  joke  with  him  when 
I  felt  no  inclination  to  do  so  ?  Milk  diables  !  No. 
If  I  only  liked  him  the  least  little  bit  ;  but  I  can't 
take  the  slightest  fancy  to  his  negro  face."  She 
laughed  gayly. 

Brand's  eyes  followed  her  disapprovingly. 

"  Do  you  know  that  you  will  be  very  unwise  to 
forfeit  the  prince's  friendship  ?"  he  said,  sternly. 
*'  I  should  think  you  would  have  every  reason  to 
treat  him  graciously,  merely  out  of  regard  for  your 
pecuniary  interests.  Lothar  is  rich,  and  by  no 
means  a  niggard  in  his  love  affairs,  as  you  must 
know  by  your  own  experience  !"  He  fixed  his  eyes 
on  the  diamond  cross,  which  was  glittering  upon 
her  neck.     "  Has  he  made  you  many  presents?" 

Heloise  unlocked  the  carved  cupboard  and 
brought  out  a  bottle  of  wine. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  she  answered  carelessly,  "  a  whole 
handful  of  little  trinkets  !     But  now,  please,  tell  me 


The  Opposite  House.  83 

what  you  have  accomplished,  and  don't  bore  me 
with  questions  about  things  in  which  you  have  no 
concern." 

Brand  half  closed  his  eyes  and  leaned  back  with 
folded  arms.  v 

"  You  are  mistaken,  my  child  !"  he  said,  sharply. 
"  This  matter  interests  me  more  than  you  may,  per- 
haps, imagine.    I  beg  you  to  show  me  your  jewels." 

The  dancer  shrugged  her  shoulders,  angrily. 

"  Just  to  try  my  patience  to  the  utmost,"  she  said. 
"  I  don't  understand.  Max,  how  you  can  find  pleas- 
ure in  tormenting  me  so." 

He  raised  her  hands  coaxingly  to  his  lips. 

''  I  won't  detain  you  more  than  five  minutes, 
little  goddess  !  And  these  five  minutes  will  be  so 
interesting  to  me.  Let  me  see  whether  the  orna- 
ments are  worthy  to  adorn  you,  the  most  precious 
pearl." 

The  Chenois  laughed.  Then,  with  a  pout,  turned 
her  back  upon  him  and  went  to  the  next  room,  re- 
turning with  a  large  casket,  which  she  placed  on 
the  table,  and  unlocked  with  a  key  fastened  to  the 
gold  chain  she  wore  around  her  neck. 

"  Most  of  these  things  came  from  Lord  Lang- 
bury,"  she  said.  "  He  made  me  more  valuable  gifts 
than  the  prince." 

Brand  arose.  His  greedy  eyes  dilated  at  the  sight 
before  him. 


84  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Lord  Langbury  ?"  lie  repeated.  "  Such  a  Crcesus 
might  well  make  presents." 

Heloise  carelessly  threw  back  the  lid  and  let  the 
precious  stones  sparkle  in  the  light.  They  were 
magnificent  gems,  set  in  the  shape  of  a  star,  whose 
brilliancy  made  him  involuntarily  shield  his  eyes. 

Heloise,  with  a  smile,  raised  the  diadem  and 
placed  it  on  her  dark  curls.  The  mirror  reflected  a 
queenly  vision. 

Doctor  Brand  silently  took  ornament  after  orna- 
ment to  scan  them  with  covetous  eyes.  He  seemed 
to  be  scrutinizing  them  closely,  and  the  calculation 
made  in  his  nimble  brain  reached  a  large  amount. 
The  stones  lay  sparkling  on  the  table,  and  cast  vivid 
rays  upon  the  white  hand  of  the  woman  who  was 
impatiently  gathering  them  up  to  return  to  the  case, 
as  careless  and  indifferent  to  their  beauty  as  though 
the  shining  gems  were  pebbles  collected  on  the 
highway. 

"Well?"  she  asked,  mischievously,  shutting  the 
lid.     "  Was  the  exhibition  worth  the  fee  ?" 

"  Gossip  says  that  your  ornaments  are  priceless," 
replied  Brand,  with  a  strange  smile  :  "  but  I  think 
they  are  a  royal  gift  which  deserve  to  adorn  your 
beauty.  Don't  be  ignoble,  Heloise,  and  repay  the 
prince's  generous  kindness  with  base  ingratitude. 
I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  send  him  a  pleasant 
answer." 


The  Opposite  House.  85 


"We  '11  see,"  was  the  careless  reply. 

Brand  turned  to  the  table  and  held  the  bottle  up 
to  the  light  to  examine  the  label. 

"  This  is  undoubtedly  fiery,"  he  said,  with  a  smile 
of  satisfaction.  "  I  thought  so.  Chartreuse  !  By 
King  Artus,  Heloise,  your  cupboard  must  be  re- 
markably well  supplied !  A  short  time  ago  you 
produced  a  capital  Benedictine,  and  now  almost 
daily  a  different  variety.  We  11  hope  that  this  " — 
he  patted  the  corpulent  bottle— "  will  prove  a 
worthy  successor.  Where  do  you  get  your  stock,  if 
I  may  ask  ?" 

"  Drink  and  tell  me  your  story  !"  replied  Heloise, 
curtly.  Then  she  placed  a  liqueur  glass  on  the 
table  before  him,  and  took  her  seat  on  the  comfort- 
able lounge. 

"Won't  you  bear  me  company?"  he  asked,  with 
a  side-glance  at  the  single  glass. 

"  No  !"  was  the  sullen  reply. 

"  So  you  are  eager  for  my  story  ?"  he  went  on, 
with  cruel  composure.  "  So  much  the  better  ;  you 
will  listen  politely."  As  he  spoke  he  closed  one 
eye,  held  the  glass  up  to  the  light  and  took  a  sip 
with  the  air  of  a  connoisseur.  "  Yes,  our  chances 
so  far  are  brilliant,"  he  began,  leaning  comfortably 
back  in  a  corner.  "  At  first  it  was,  of  course,  some- 
what hard  work  to  approach  the  good  fellow ;  he 
seemed  fairly  panoplied  by  his  beloved  work  and 


86  The  Opposite  House. 

love  of  industry.  But  I  attacked  him  with  weapons 
which  even  these  virtue-mailed  walls  could  not 
withstand,  and  having  taken  advantage  of  a  few  op- 
portune moments,  spoken  a  few  words  at  the  right 
time,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  one  barrier  fall 
after  another,  and  was  finally  clasped  to  his  heart 
as  a  friend  ;  the  main  point  was  to  induce  him  to 
trust  me.  Since  then  my  position  has  been  secure. 
I  often  make  him  feel  my  superiority  in  a  useful 
way,  and  endeavor  to  strengthen  my  hold  in  all  di- 
rections, in  order  to  have  complete  carte  btanche  and 
at  last  be  able  to  influence  him.  It  is  a  difficult 
task  to  manage  him  successfully — one  must  touch  so 
many  strings  at  once  !  His  temperament  is  high- 
strung  ;  he  has  a  great  deal  of  family  pride  ;  his 
nature  is  still  comparatively  uncorrupted,  a  fact 
which,  with  his  past,  amazed  me  ;  he  is  animated  by 
the  best  intentions — and  is  in  love." 

"What?  In  love?  With  whom?"  exclaimed 
Heloise.  Two  steps  brought  her  directly  in  front 
of  him,  and  fixing  her  flashing  eyes  on  his  pale 
face,  she  exclaimed :  "  And  you  tell  me  this  now 
for  the  first  time  ?" 

"That  I  don't  know,"  replied  Brand.  "Pshaw! 
What  does  it  matter  ?  Some  insignificant  beauty, 
whom  he  will  forget  as  quickly  as  he  admired  her." 

"  No,  the  fancy  must  go  deeper,  if  he  forgot  me 
for  it,"  answered  Heloise,  proudly.    "  Never  mind  ; 


The  Opposite  House.  87 


it 's  nothing  to  me.  I  no  longer  care  for  his  love. 
I  want  only  my  revenge."  She  winked  her  long 
lashes  rapidly  and  let  her  beautiful  head  sink  back 
on  the  cushions.  A  covert  glance  wandered  over 
her  companion's  features,  but  she  read  nothing  save 
an  expression  of  innocent  satisfaction.  "Well, 
what  else?"  she  asked,  folding  her  arms. 

''  As  I  said  before,  I  have  taken  the  utmost  possi- 
ble  trouble,"  Brand  continued,  "  spun  my  nets  and 
threads  so  fine  that  the  worthy  fellow  could  not  help 
being  caught  in  them— shuffled  the  cards  so  cleverly, 
and  heaped  so  much  combustible  material  that  he 
could  not  help  taking  fire." 

"And  the  result  of  all  these  efforts  ?"  she  inter- 
rupted  impatiently,  in  a  half-sneering  tone. 

"  Will  come  in  due  time,  my  worshiped  one.  You 
see  that  I  am  proceeding  in  a  business-like  fashion 
with  my  report.  Always  go  slowly.  We  ought  not 
to  expect  too  much  from  him  at  once,  or  stretch  the 
cords  too  closely,  else  they  might  snap.  I  shall 
gradually  bring  matters  to  the  point  which  will  se- 
cure  your  revenge." 

"  Excuse  one  question.  Max,"  said  the  Chenois, 
suddenly,  in  a  thoughtful  tone.  "  How  does  it  hap- 
pen  that  you  are  so  extremely  interested  in  this 
matter?  It  is  not  only  your  love  for  me.  You 
are  far  too  clever  to  act  solely  from  the  dictates  of 
the  heart.     The  brain  must  also  have  a  large  share 


88  The  Opposite  House, 

in  it,  or  your  zeal  would  not  go  so  far.  Have  you, 
too,  a  score  to  settle  with  him  ?" 

"  I  ?  Oh,  not  at  all !  You  interest  me,  Heloise. 
I  feel  an  active  sympathy  in  your  love  affair,"  he 
answered,  smiling,  "  and  am  extremely  glad  to  be 
of  service  to  you  in  any  way.  Gerrald  attracted  my 
notice  at  the  gaming  table  in  Wiesbaden.  He  was 
a  strange  gambler.  The  rest  you  shall  know  at  the 
right  time,  Heloise.  For  the  present  be  satisfied 
with  the  assurance  that  it  is  of  some  importance  to 
me  also  to  have  Gerrald  pursue  his  old  career. 
These  are  purely  personal  concerns  which,  in  the 
first  place,  would  not  interest  you,  and  of  which,  for 
the  sake  of  a  friend,  I  must  not  speak." 

Heloise  turned  abruptly  away. 

"  You  are  a  fiend,  Max.  In  Gerrald's  case'  you 
deserve  praise,  but  so  far  as  you  and  your  secrets 
are  concerned,  the  deepest  blame.  There  !  Now 
go.  The  clock  has  just  struck  ten,  and  in  spite  of 
your  pleasant  society  I  have  grown  weary.  So  fare- 
well, and  good  luck !" 

With  these  words  she  glided  past  him  as  nimbly 
as  an  eel,  and  the  next  instant  had  vanished  through 
a  side^oor,  whose  key  turned  in  the  lock. 

A  muttered  oath  followed  her.  Brand  rose,  an- 
grily drained  his  glass,  then  lifted  his  gloves  from 
the  chair  and  went  to  her  writing-desk.  Several 
bank-notes  and  a  small  sum  of  money  in  gold  lay  in 


The  Opposite  House.  89 

a  glass  dish.  He  took  two  of  the  bills  and  slipped 
them  into  his  pocket. 

"■  I  Ve  borrowed  some  spending  money,  Heloise," 
he  called  through  the  keyhole.     "  I  'm  dead  broke." 

He  received  no  answer  and  left  the  room. 

He  was  soon  standing  outside  in  the  storm  and 
darkness.  The  rain  beat  into  his  face,  the  wind 
tore  at  his  cloak,  and  the  flickering  street-lamp  cast 
his  shadow  in  long  black  outlines  on  the  wet  pave- 
ment as  he  glided  noiselessly  along  in  the  shadow 
of  the  houses  like  a  gloomy  spectre  of  the  night. 


CHAPTER  X. 


YELLOWED     PAPERS. 


The  general's  widow,  Frau  Albertine  von  Rotters- 
wyl,  was  sitting-  as  usual  in  her  comfortable  arm. 
chair  near  the  window.  A  piece  of  sewing  lay 
folded  in  her  work-basket,  and  her  open  book 
seemed  to  have  been  angrily  pushed  aside.  Was 
it  the  fault  of  a  tiresome  chapter,  or  was  there  an 
unusual  number  of  things  to  be  seen  in  the  quiet 
street?  The  old  lady  raised  her  head  again  and 
gazed  impatiently  down  at  the  uneven  pavement. 

The  baroness  was  one  of  those  persons  on  whom 
the  consciousness  of  belonging  to  a  noble  race  is 
indelibly  impressed. 

Tall  and  slender,  nature  had  given  her  the  bear- 
ing which,  in  a  parvenu,  easily  becomes  stiff  and 
affected,  but  invested  her  with  a  dignity  whose 
haughty  reserve  appeared  to  weave  a  magic  spell 
that  uttered  an  imperious  "  Back !"  to  all  who 
[90] 


The  Opposite  House.  91 

could  not  submit  an  escutcheon  and  coronet  to  the 
scrutiny  of  those  cold  gray  eyes. 

Albertine  von  Rotterswyl  had  two  stepbrothers. 
The  elder,  Verja's  husband,  sometimes  called  as  he 
drove  by  in  a  light  carriage.  The  younger  be- 
longed to  a  reg-iment  of  the  Guards  in  Berlin,  and 
had  been  her  favorite  from  childhood.  Franz  von 
Kartegg  was  a  strikingly  handsome  man,  daring 
and  chivalrous,  with  velvety  dark  eyes,  about  which 
"  whole  books  might  be  written,"  as  a  young  lady 
had  enthusiastically  exclaimed.  He  had  gone  to  the 
war  in  1866,  full  of  life  and  vigor,  to  return  en- 
feebled and  crippled  by  wounds.  He  was  obliged 
to  spend  the  greater  portion  of  the  year  in  Wies- 
baden, and  it  was  a  heart-rending  spectacle  to  see 
him,  helpless  as  a  child,  in  his  rolling-chair. 

Albertine  had  often  cherished  the  desire  to  meet 
him  again,  but  lacked  the  strength  bestowed  by  the 
sudden  power  of  "  must,"  to  rouse  her  from  the  fet- 
ters of  her  monotonous  life.  Now  he  was  near  her 
at  Wiesbaden,  and  the  baroness  seemed  to  be  plan- 
ning a  visit  in  earnest.  She  was  slowly  turning  the 
pages  of  a  railway-guide,  estimating,  and  at  times 
casting  a  searching  glance  into  the  street.  Just  at 
that  moment  the  portiere  was  drawn  aside,  and  the 
servant  put  his  gray  head  into  the  room. 

"  Frau  von  Kartegg  and  Doctor  Brand  !"  he  an- 
nounced,  and,  at  a  gesture  of  assent  from  his  mistress, 


92  The  Opposite  House. 

he  went  back  to  usher  the  visitors  through  the  long 
suite  of  apartments  to  the  baroness's  drawing-room. 
Frau  von  Rotterswyl  rose  slowly  and  greeted  the 
newcomers  with  a  slight  bend  of  the  head, 

"  I  am  glad  that  Doctor  Brand  has  accompanied 
you,  Verja  !"  she  said  curtly,  inviting  them,  by  a 
wave  of  the  hand,  to  be  seated.  "  I  have  long  de- 
sired to  make  your  acquaintance,  Herr  Brand.  I 
noticed  you  as  you  rode  by." 

The  gentleman  bowed  respectfully.  The  old 
lady's  singularly  abrupt  manner  somewhat  confused 
him. 

"  If  I  had  suspected,  baroness,  that  I  should  be 
permitted  to  call,  I  would  have  done  myself  the 
honor  of  paying  a  visit  here  earlier.  I  have  had  the 
good  fortune  of  making  your  daughter's  acquaint- 
ance." 

"  I  know  it,"  replied  the  baroness,  her  keen  eyes 
resting  searchingly  upon  the  pallid  features  of  her 
companion.  Then  she  turned  to  Verja.  "  Wouldn't 
you  like  to  go  up  to  Marie's  room  ?  She  would  be 
delighted  to  have  a  visit  from  you." 

The  young  wife's  white  brow  was  contracted  by 
a  slight  frown. 

"  There  will  be  time  for  that  afterward,"  she  said ; 
"  but  if  you  wish — " 

"Yes,  I  do  wish  it,"  repeated  Baroness  von  Rot- 
terswyl, calmly  ;  and  Verja,  rising,  left  the  room. 


The  Opposite  House,  93 

Outside  the  door  she  paused,  indignantly,  to  con- 
sider what  she  should  do.  Listen  ?  No,  she  was 
too  proud  for  that,  so  she  must  submit.  She  set 
her  little  feet  on  the  floor  more  heavily  than  usual, 
cast  a  few  wrathful  glances  at  the  closed  door,  and 
then  rushed  up  the  stairs,  fairly  trembling  with  ex- 
citement and  curiosity.  "  You  will  wonder  why  I 
sent  my  sister-in-law  away,"  said  Baroness  von  Rot- 
terswyl,  smiling,  secretly  amused  by  the  expression 
of  astonishment  on  Doctor  Brand's  face  ;  "  but  I 
have  something  to  discuss  with  you  which  affects 
no  one  except  myself,  and  to  which  I  do  not  desire 
to  give  any  publicity.  Verja  is  a  lovely  woman,  but 
she  is  gay  and  talkative." 

Brand  moved  uneasily  in  his  chair  ;  the  pene- 
trating expression  of  her  gray  eyes  embarrassed 
him. 

"  I  shall  be  extremely  happy  to  serve  you  in  any 
way,  baroness.     You  can  rely  on  my  discretion." 

Frau  von  Rotterswyl's  smile  was  peculiar,  and 
the  lines  around  her  mouth  and  eyes  were  by  no 
means  pleasing. 

"  You  are  a  lawyer,  and  therefore  versed  in  legal 
affairs?" 

Brand  listened  intently. 

"  I  am  no  longer  practicing  my  profession,"  he 
answered,  eagerly ;  "■  yet  I  hope  I  may  be  able  to 
aid  you  by  my  advice." 


94  The  Opposite  House, 

*'  Unfortunately,  I  fear  that  the  case  is  too  old  to 
be  opened,"  the  baroness  continued,  with  a  cour- 
teous bow  ;  "  but  it  is  better  to  do  too  much  than  too 
little." 

She  rose  and  walked  slowly  through  the  room. 
Brand  watched  her  tall  figure  as  she  moved  with  a 
firm,  steady  step. 

He,  too,  had  risen,  and  leaned  expectantly  on  the 
back  of  the  carved  chair,  intensely  interested,  he 
could  not  deny  ;  but,  though  he  seemed  extremely 
calm,  the  slight  quiver  of  his  nostrils,  the  distrust- 
ful glance  which  scanned  every  surrounding  object, 
revealed  the  feverish  excitement  with  which  he 
awaited  further  developments. 

The  baroness  returned  with  a  few  papers  ;  the 
green  curtain  at  the  casement,  stirred  by  the  wind, 
cast  a  deep  shadow  over  her  features. 

"  Here  are  some  papers,"  she  began,  in  a  tone 
utterly  devoid  of  expression,  "  written  by  the  stew- 
ard of  the  Von  A family.     The  whole  drama 

took  place  on  a  friend's  estate.  Apparently  the 
story  has  very  little  connection  with  me,  yet  it 
ruined  my  whole  life.  The  entire  affair  will  seem 
to  you  incredible,  yet  I  have  proofs — if  necessary, 
witnesses.     Read !" 

Brand  eagerly  seized  the  package  and  read  the 
contents,  bending  far  over  the  table,  while  the  paper 
rustled  strangely  in  his  hands,  and  by  degrees  every 


The  Opposite  House.  95 

tinge  of  color  vanished  from  his  face  till  he  grew  as 
pale  as  death.  It  was  not  noticeable,  for  he  was 
never  ruddy,  but  his  lips  were  almost  livid,  and  the 
baroness's  eyes  rested,  with  a  strangely  penetrating 
expression,  upon  his  features  as,  with  her  hand  rest- 
ing lightly  on  the  table,  she  gazed  at  his  bowed 
head.  Suddenly,  with  a  still  keener  look,  she  scru- 
tinized his  hair.  There  were  white  threads  in  it, 
and  the  roots  had  a  reddish  hue — it  was  dyed! 

Brand  did  not  see  the  baroness  smile. 

"  Interesting — an  unusually  attractive  case  !"  he 
exclaimed,  straightening  himself.  "  Unfortunately, 
the  whole  meaning  cannot  be  understood.  Perhaps 
you  would  have  the  kindness,  madam — " 

"This  is  the  story,"  the  baroness  interrupted, 
almost  harshly.     "  While  I  was  maid  of  honor  at  the 

court,  I  visited  at  Castle  H a  friend  whom  I  had 

known  from  my  earliest  childhood,  both  the  lady 
and  her  brother  Lewin.  She  was  a  widow,  young, 
rich,  beautiful  and  clever,  and  had  spent  the  pre- 
vious winter  in  Stuttgart,  where  she  formed  the  ac- 
quaintance of  a  young  count,  who  soon  became  a 
constant  guest  at  her  house,  and  in  the  summer  ac- 
companied her  to  H as  her  betrothed  husband. 

She  was  infinitely  happy,  for  she  loved  him." 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  paused  a  moment. 

Brand  leaned  heavily  on  the  chair. 

"  The  count  was  a  swindler,''  jLhe  speaker  con- 


96  The  Opposite  House. 

tinued.  "  One  day  he  disappeared  with  more  than 
half  of  Ida's  fortune,  and  Lewin  was  found  dead  in 
the  forest." 

"  And  was  no  trace  of  the  murderer  discovered  ?" 
exclaimed  Brand,  excitedly.  His  voice  sounded 
hoarse  and  unnatural.  "  How  could  that  be  possi- 
ble, madam  ?     Did  you  not  denounce  him  at  once?" 

"  In  vain.  Not  the  faintest  clue  was  ever  ob- 
tained. Count  Berndt  had  disappeared.  My  friend 
grieved  herself  to  death.  She  was  attacked  by 
nervous  fever  and  died.  Her  last  words  were  the 
name  of  the  man  whom  she  had  so  ardently  loved. 
It  was  she  who,  on  her  death-bed,  forbade  any 
further  search." 

"And  now,  after  so  many  years,  would  you 
wish — "  asked  Doctor  Brand,  with  an  incredulous 
smile.  "  I  think,  after  so  long  an  interval,  the 
sharper  must  have  effaced  every  trace." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  baroness,  nodding  assent. 
"  But  look — this  account  recalled  the  whole  affair  to 
my  memory." 

She  took  a  newspaper  clipping  from  the  table  and 
handed  it  to  him.  Doctor  Brand  hurriedly  seized 
the  scrap  and  looked  at  the  marked  portion. 

"  A  Remarkably  Artful  Speculation,"  was  the 
■  heading  of  the  article,  which  described  in  detail  a 

robbery  in  W ,  where  the  swindler  had  met  with 

an  exasperating  degree  of  success.     Obtaining  ad- 


The  Opposite  Hotise.  97 

mittance  under  a  false  name  to  a  wealthy  family, 
he  had  won  the  affections  of  a  young  lady,  in 
order  to  steal  jewels  and  papers  of  considerable 
value. 

"  Ah,"  said  Brand,  drawing  a  long  breath, "  that  is 
certainly  singular.  The  same  story  I  have  just  read 
in  these  documents.  You  are  quite  right,  baroness, 
to  come  forward,  too,  and  renew  your  accusation. 
Perhaps  the  criminal  will  prove  to  be  one  and  the 
same  person." 

"  That  is  my  idea  also,"  replied  Albertine,  quietly, 
her  searching  eyes  scanning  Brand's  features.  "  It 
would  be  interesting  to  learn  whether  justice  still 
exists  in  the  world.  I  myself  believe  that  my  case 
has  long  been  outlawed,  and  would  not  take  any 
steps  until  I  obtained  the  advice  of  an  expert.  My 
sister-in-law  has  told  me  so  much  of  you  and  your 
obliging  disposition  that  I  thought  of  applying  to 
you,  and  hope  you  will  pardon  my  request." 

"  I  shall  consider  myself  fortunate  to  act  for  you 
in  any  way,  baroness.  Perhaps  you  wish  me  to 
make  inquiries  at  once?" 

"  Oh,  no,"  said  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl,  "  you 
must  take  no  special  trouble  on  my  account  ;  but  if 
you  would  simply  have  the  kindness  to  keep  the 
matter  in  view,  I  should  be  grateful." 

"Certainly,  madam."  Brand  bowed  courteously, 
with  his   habitual   smile.     "  I  shall  know  how  to 


98  The  Opposite  House. 

value  your  confidence.  Should  you  need  me,  no 
matter  when  or  where,  I  shall  always  be  at  your 
service." 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  kindness,  Herr  Brand.  I 
see  that  my  sister-in-law  has  not  told  me  too  much 
of  your  readiness  to  oblige.  Then,  for  the  present, 
may  I  ask  you  to  notice  the  reports  which  may  ap- 
pear. As  a  young  man  of  the  world,  you  can  do 
this  far  better  than  an  old  woman  like  me  in  my 
solitude.  Perhaps  you  will  call  occasionally  to  let 
me  know  the  result.  You  will  always  be  a  welcome 
guest  here." 

Brand  raised  the  slender  fingers  of  the  baroness 
to  his  lips  and  courteously  thanked  her. 

"  I  shall  spend  much  of  my  time  near  you,  and 
await  any  sign,  madam.  My  friend,  Gerrald,  has 
the  valuable  quality  of  being  your  neighbor,  so  I 
shall  have  the  best  opportunity  of  frequently  pass- 
ing your  door." 

"  Do  you  know  Herr  Gerrald  ?"  asked  the  baron- 
ess, with  marked  coldness.  "  True,  I  remember 
that  Verja  mentioned  it ;  he  is  a  merchant,  isn't 
he?"  The  old  lady  drew  herself  up  to  her  full 
height,  her  lips  curled  slightly.  "  He  has  made 
himself  the  subject  of  considerable  gossip,  frag- 
ments of  which  1  have  heard.  With  whom  does  he 
associate  here  ?" 

"  He  is  to  attend  the  miisicale  given  by  the  minis- 


The  Opposite  House.  99 

ter's  wife,  day  after  to-morrow,"  said  Brand,  with  a 
somewhat  malicious  expression. 

"  What  ?"  cried  the  old  lady,  starting-  up.  "  At  the 
minister's?" 

Brand  bowed  assent. 

"  Good  heavens !"  The  baroness  paused,  and 
pressed  her  cambric  handkerchief  to  her  lips.  "  I 
shall  be  interested  in  hearing-  your  account  of  the 
young  man's  appearance  there.  I  suppose  you  are 
invited  too,  doctor?" 

"  I  shall  go  with  my  friend,"  replied  Brand,  rising 
to  offer  a  chair  to  Frau  von  Kartegg,  who  had  just 
entered,  "  and  will  bring  you  a  report  of  every- 
thing, madam.     I  hope  to  please  you  in  both  cases." 

Verja  and  her  companion  had  gone  ;  but  the 
baroness  still  stood  in  the  center  of  the  room,  with 
her  figure  drawn  to  its  full  height,  and  her  eyes 
fixed  on  the  door  behind  whose  porturc  his  black 
figure  had  vanished.  There  was  a  peculiar  expres- 
sion in  her  gray  eyes,  a  look  of  mingled  hate  and 
satisfaction,  an  almost  uncanny  sparkle,  which 
threatened  to  burst  at  any  moment  into  a  blaze. 
The  baroness,  drawing  a  long  breath,  laid  her  slen- 
der hand  upon  her  heart  and  raised  her  eyes  toward 
heaven.  Then  she  took  the  yellow  papers  and  car- 
ried them  back  to  the  secretary,  in  whose  secret 
drawer  lay  various  mementoes,  a  withered  bough 
from  an  oak4ree,  crumbling  after  the  lapse  of  years, 


loo  The  Opposite  Hoiise. 

and  a  small  pen-and-ink  sketch.  The  old  lady 
raised  it  almost  reverently  and  bent  low  over  the 
faded  lines.  It  represented  a  very  handsome  man, 
haughty  and  full  of  life,  with  slightly  waving  hair 
and  sparkling  eyes.  Many  a  tear  seemed  to  have 
fallen  on  the  paper  ;  the  name  below  was  scarcely 
legible — "  Lewin." 

Marie  entered.  The  baroness  shut  the  drawer 
and  walked  rapidly  toward  her. 

"  My  daughter  !"  The  trembling  girl  had  never 
heard  her  speak  in  so  gentle  a  tone.  "  Do  you  love 
me,  Marie  ?" 

Her  mother  had  never  addressed  her  in  such  a 
way  before.  Scarcely  trusting  her  own  ears,  the 
young  girl  threw  herself  into  her  arms. 

"  Mamma  !"  she  faltered.    "  My  dear  mamma  !" 

Then  an  unprecedented  thing  happened — the 
baroness  bent  toward  the  rosy  little  face  and  im- 
printed a  kiss  upon  the  beautiful  brow,  tenderly 
stroked  the  fair  hair,  and  said  : 

"  Be  very  joyous  to-day,  my  little  Marie  ;  laugh 
and  sing  and  be  happy.  It  is  a  great  festival  for 
your  mother !" 


CHAPTER  XI. 

TABLEAUX. 

The  room  at  the  right  of  the  wide  hall  had  been 
fitted  lip  by  her  excellency,  the  ambassadress,  as  a 
stage.  The  broad  folding-doors  were  removed,  and 
in  their  place  hung  a  purple  curtain.  Cloth  dra- 
peries of  the  same  hue  covered  the  walls  on  both 
sides,  shining  with  a  subdued  glow  in  the  light  of 
the  countless  gas-jets.  The  rays  flashed  from  chan- 
deliers and  candelabra,  and  were  reflected  a  thou- 
sand-fold in  the  bronze-framed  mirrors.  The  long 
suite  of  apartments  was  also  radiant  with  light  as 
far  as  the  richly  furnished  dining-room  and  the 
corridors,  which  skillful  hands  had  converted  into 
veritable  arcades  of  blossoms.  Fragrant  flowering 
plants  filled  the  niches  and  corners,  laurel  and 
oleander  in  graceful  groups  surrounded  the  white 
marble  statues,  and  delicate  vines  were  twined 
around  the  pillars  of  the  ball-room  and  drawn  in 
garlands  to  the  ceiling. 

[lOl] 


I02  The  Opposite  House. 

Silken  trains  were  already  rustling  over  the  floor, 
glittering  uniforms  mingled  with  the  elegant  cos- 
tumes of  the  ladies ;  the  stars  and  ribbons  of  vari- 
ous orders  vying  with  the  sparkle  of  the  diamonds 
and  pearls  which  this  evening  adorned  fair  necks 
even  more  lavishly  than  usual. 

The  band,  concealed  behind  tall  groups  of  plants, 
was  already  beginning  to  play,  and  the  hostess,  a 
stately  woman  in  a  very  effective  costume,  was  pass- 
ing through  the  groups  of  guests,  with  a  pleasant 
word  for  each.  Now  she  hastened  to  the  first  row 
of  arm-chairs,  directly  in  front  of  the  stage,  placed 
for  the  older  guests,  seated  herself  beside  one  of 
the  ladies,  and  soon  became  engaged  in  an  animated 
conversation.  The  person  thus  distinguished  had 
chosen  a  somewhat  isolated  seat.  Her  tall,  erect 
figure  was  attired  in  black  moire  antique,  and  her 
jewels  were  magnificent  pearls.  The  old  Baroness 
von  Rotterswyl  was  a  rare  guest,  and  her  appear- 
ance in  her  excellency's  drawing-room  had  awak- 
ened the  utmost  astonishment.  People  could  not 
understand  it,  and  made  one  conjecture  after 
another  to  account  for  the  remarkable  event. 

The  curtain  was  drawn  slightly  aside,  and  a  head 
covered  with  dark  curls  appeared  before  the  brilliant 
throng.  Then  it  vanished,  and  a  slender  figure  the 
next  instant  bowed  before  her  excellencv. 

"Welcome,   my   dear    Frau    von    Kartepg-,"    ex- 


The   Opposite  House.  103 

claimed  the  hostess,  with  a  rapid  glance  of  admira- 
tion at  the  young  matron.  "  I  am  delighted  to  see 
you  here.  There  are  doubtless  many  crinkles  to  be 
smoothed  behind  the  curtain." 

"  Everything  is  going  on  admirably,  your  excel- 
lency," replied  the  Russian,  gayly.  "  Our  perform- 
ers are  all  here,  and  we  only  await  the  arrival  of  the 
principal  guests  to  begin." 

"  The  duchess  will  be  punctual,"  said  the  hostess, 
with  winning  cordiality.  "  The  poor  little  stage- 
manager  has  a  great  deal  of  responsibility  on  her 
beautiful  shoulders  this  evening,  and  were  it  not 
for  our  Verja,  who  regulates  everything,  I  should 
almost  be  anxious." 

Nodding  cordially,  she  left  the  young  wife  to  sev- 
eral gentlemen  who  wished  to  offer  their  homage, 
and  also  their  dancing  cards,  at  Frau  von  Kartegg's 
feet. 

"  There  is  a  spark  under  all  the  ashes,"  whispered 
Brand,  with  a  long  glance  at  the  baroness.  He  and 
Gerrald  had  obtained  a  corner  near  the  stage. 
"  That  woman  has  marvelous  taste  in  dress.  I  be- 
lieve if  she  were  gowned  in  gray  sackcloth  she 
would  still  outshine  all  her  gayly  clad  sisters." 

Traugott's  eyes  rested  admiringly  upon  the  grace- 
ful figure  standing  in  the  center  of  the  hall  under 
the  full  blaze  of  the  chandelier.  Several  gentlemen 
surrounded  her,  as  shadows  hover  about  light,  and 


I04  The  Opposite  House. 

the  charming  woman  had  for  each  a  jest  or  clever 
remark  mischievously  spoken. 

A  satin  gown  of  the  brightest  golden  yellow  fitted 
her  slender  figure  closely,  and  fell  in  shining  folds 
in  along  train,  over  which  gold-colored  crape  floated 
like  rising  clouds,  caught  here  and  there  by  glowing 
scarlet  flowers,  diffusing  a  heavy  fragrance,  or  a 
glittering  cluster  of  feathers  which,  against  the 
golden  background,  looked  like  tongues  of  flame. 
Her  dark  hair  curled  gracefully  around  her  fore- 
head, below  the  diadem,  of  which  no  princess  need 
have  been  ashamed  ;  locks  of  shining  dark  hair  fell 
low  on  her  neck,  interwoven  with  sprays  of  scarlet 
flowers. 

Verja  dropped  her  fan  and  turned  her  beautiful 
head.  Her  gaze  wandered  around  the  room,  to  rest 
at  last  with  a  look  of  satisfaction  on  Gerrald's  tall 
figure.  With  a  gracious  farewell  to  the  group  of 
attendant  cavaliers,  she  stood  the  next  instant  be- 
fore the  tall,  fair-haired  man,  who  bowed  low  and 
deferentially  to  the  radiant  vision. 

"  Why  are  you  so  apart  from  the  rest?"  she  whis- 
pered, with  sparkling  eyes,  permitting  her  prote'g^, 
Brand,  to  raise  her  slender  hand  to  his  lips.  "  You 
seem  to  have  arrived  late.  Have  you  been  presented, 
or  met  any  acquaintances  ?" 

"We  have  paid  our  respects  to  her  excellency," 
replied  Traugott,  in  a  somewhat  unsteady  voice,  his 


The  Opposite  House.  105 

eyes  wandering  to  the  group  of  young  ladies.  "  Un- 
fortunately, I  have  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to 
approach  the  ladies.  I  suppose  Fraulein  von  Rot- 
terswyl  is  not  in  the  room  ?" 

Verja  smiled. 

"  She  has  vanished  behind  the  scenes.  But  tell 
me,  Herr  Gerrald — you  look  unusually  pale  to-night 
— do  you  want  to  make  yourself  interesting,  and 
work  mischief  with  those  melancholy  eyes  ?" 

She  shook  her  finger  mischievously  at  him. 

Gerrald  really  did  look  weary  and  haggard  ;  his 
eyes  seemed  more  deeply  set  than  usual,  and  a 
shadow  rested  on  his  brow. 

"  I  have  had  a  great  deal  to  do,  baroness,"  he 
answered,  forcing  a  smile.  "  I  attend  to  every  de- 
tail myself." 

"  Even  cut  my  own  coupons,"  added  Brand,  in  a 
jesting  tone.     "  It 's  hard  work  !" 

"You  have  a  provoking  tongue,  my  worthy  sir," 
retorted  the  Russian,  laughing.  "  I  can  easily 
imagine  that  you  would  be  Herr  Gerrald's  right- 
hand  man  in  such  matters.  By  the  way,  have  you 
been  presented  to  Frau  von  Rotterswyl  ?" 

Traugott  started. 

"  Oh,  no  !"  he  stammered  in  embarrassment.  "  I 
don't  even  know  whether  I  can  venture — " 

"Certainly  you  can,"  replied  Verja,  nodding- 
pleasantly.     "  I  will  present  you  myself." 


io6  The  Opposite  House. 

"And  I  ?"  asked  Brand,  with  languishing  eyes. 

"  If  you  behave  prettily,  we  '11  take  you,  too,"  re- 
plied Verja,  gayly,  turning  hastily  toward  the  door. 
"  Ah,  here  are  our  sovereigns.  Farewell,  gentlemen. 
There  is  old  Prince  George,  too.  An  revoir  f'  As 
she  spoke  she  glided  swiftly  through  the  crowd 
and  vanished  behind  the  curtain, 

Traugott  leaned  against  the  pedestal  of  a  Cupid 
taking  aim,  and  pressed  his  hand  upon  his  heart. 
The  tempest  raging  in  his  soul  filled  him  with  em- 
barrassment. He  compelled  himself  to  turn  his 
mind  to  other  thoughts.  His  eyes,  unconsciously, 
wandered  over  the  sea  of  heads  to  rest  upon  the 
figure  of  the  duchess.  Gerrald  had  seen  her  almost 
daily  in  the  street,  and  was  familiar  with  her  feat- 
ures ;  yet,  this  evening  she  did  not  look  the 
same.  Her  fair  hair  was  very  becoming  to  her 
fresh  complexion,  and  her  sea  -  green  silk  had 
been  chosen  to  suit  the  Southern  tint  of  her  com- 
plexion. Prince  George  stood  by  her  side,  greeting 
the  hostess  in  his  usual  cordial  manner,  while 
Baron  von  Kartegg,  the  hereditary  prince's  adju- 
tant, had  respectfully  taken  the  old  gentleman's 
tea-cup  to  carry  it  to  the  chair  reserved  for  his 
royal  highness.  By  degrees  the  movement  ceased, 
the  seats  were  filled,  and  all  eyes  rested  upon  the 
curtain,  which  must  rise  the  next  instant. 

A  bell  rang.     The  hall  was  still  as  death.     The 


The  Opposite  Hoiise.  107 

musicians  softly  began  the  air:  "  A  Wanderer  with 
Staff  in  Hand." 

The  curtain  rolled  up,  and  a  low  murmur  of  satis- 
faction ran  through  the  audience.  The  lights  had 
been  turned  down,  and,  amid  the  darkness,  glowed 
the  bright  tableau  of  the  wanderer  in  the  arms  of 
his  gray-haired  mother. 

Loud  applause  rewarded  the  artists.  Again  the 
curtain  rose,  revealing  a  lonely,  dusky  convent 
garden,  at  whose  right  was  a  carved  image  of  the 
Madonna,  while,  amid  the  many  vines,  knelt  a  pallid 
woman  in  the  garb  and  veil  of  a  nun. 

"  How  beautiful  the  little  English  girl  looks !" 
ran  through  the  ranks  of  the  spectators  in  a  whisper. 
"  She  just  suits  the  tableau." 

Thus  picture  followed  picture.  A  scene  from  the 
"  Meistersinger "  How  superbly  Herr  von  Esen 
personated  Hans  Sachs,  and  what  a  charming  little 
Eva  Bertha  von  Lenk  made  !  Undine  rose  from  the 
cool  waves  ;  Mignon  alternately  bewailed  her  sor- 
rows and  rattled  her  tambourine,  and  flames  cast 
their  vivid  glare  upon  the  picturesque  camp  of  the 
gypsies.  The  tableaux  swiftly  succeeded  one  an- 
other, with  constant  variety. 

Suddenly  a  servant  moved  rapidly  through  the 
crowd  and  requested  Doctor  Brand  and  his  com- 
panion to  follow  him.  Traugott  thought  that  there 
must  be  some  mistake  ;  but  there  was  no  time  for 


io8  The  Opposite  House. 

questions,  and  he  silently  obeyed.  He  was  con- 
ducted through  an  ante-chamber  to  the  stage,  where 
Verja  stood  in  an  attitude  of  despair. 

"Ah,  there  you  are,  Herr  Gerrald  !"  she  eagerly 
exclaimed,  hastening  toward  him.  "  You  savior  in 
time  of  need  !  Just  think — we  have  no  Faust !  I 
am  frantic — fairly  frantic  !" 

She  pressed  her  hands  wildly  upon  her  throbbing 
temples. 

Gerrald  gazed  at  her  in  astonishment.  He  did 
not  yet  fully  understand. 

"  Count  Launers  has  left  us  in  the  lurch  in  the 
most  inconsiderate  manner,"  the  Russian  con- 
tinued, excitedly.  "  He  disappeared  ten  minutes 
ago,  leaving  this  note.  There,  what  good  can  that 
do  me  ?  And  even  if  his  friend  lay  at  the  point  of 
death  ten  times  over,  half  an  hour — " 

"  Would  not  have  permitted  him  to  see  him  alive," 
interrupted  Herr  von  Sallich,  gravely.  "  Launers 
was  obliged  to  leave  at  once — " 

"  And  our  Fmist  f  cried  Verja,  almost  angrily. 

"  I  hope  Herr  Gerrald  will  supply  his  place,"  said 
some  one  soothingly. 

"  Our  tallest  gentlemen  have  already  tried  on  the 
costume,  and  it  hung  round  them  like  a  bag  !"  Verja 
went  on,  dejectedly.  "  You  are  our  only  hope,  Herr 
Gerrald.  Your  figure  is  similar  to  the  count's,  and 
your  appearance,   too,   would    suit  the   character. 


The  Opposite  House.  109 

Pray  have  the  kindness  to  help  ns  out  of  our 
dilemma." 

Traugott  bowed,  flushing  to  the  very  roots  of  his 
fair  hair. 

''  If  Fraulein  von  Rotterswyl  is  satisfied  with  the 
exchange,  madam,  I  can  only  consider  it  a  special 
honor  to  fill  Count  Launers's  place.  If  you  need 
me,  I  am  entirely  at  your  disposal." 

"  Then  you  will  do  it !"  cried  Verja,  joyously, 
holding  out  both  hands  to  him.  "  A  thousand 
thanks  in  advance  !  Baron  Sallich,  please  take  Herr 
Gerrald  to  the  gentlemen's  dressing-room,"  she 
called  to  a  young  officer.  "  I  have  no  more  time 
now — not  a  moment,  my  dear  Herr  Gerrald,"  she 
added  in  her  usual  jesting  tone,  "  but  I  shall  hold 
my  breath  till  the  trial  is  over." 

Traugott  hastily  followed  his  guide,  who  speedily 
obtained  the  Faust  costume,  and  the  gentlemen 
pressed  forward  eagerly  to  watch  the  young  man  as 
he  began  to  put  on  the  dress. 

When  he  returned  to  the  stage  many  an  eye  fol- 
lowed with  admiring  glances  the  haughty,  erect  fig- 
ure which  wore  the  black  velvet  doublet  with  almost 
royal  dignity.  Even  Verja  was  surprised,  and 
watched  the  tall  form  with  an  expression  of  delight. 

True,  Gerrald  made  a  somewhat  juvenile  Faust, 
but  his  assumption  of  the  character  could  not  fail  to 
interest  by  its  originality. 


no  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Splendid — splendid  !"  she  cried.  "  We  shall  all 
fall  in  love  with  you,  Herr  Gerrald  !"  And  again 
her  eyes  wandered  over  the  handsome  man  from 
head  to  foot.  "  The  costume  fits  as  though  it  had 
been  molded  on  you.  Now  I  '11  see  if  my  Gretchen 
is  ready.  Here,  look  at  the  picture,  meanwhile. 
That  is  your  pose." 

She  vanished  behind  the  scenes. 

Gerrald  stood  with  a  throbbing  heart,  gazing  at 
the  picture  in  his  hand.  vSo  she  would  cling  to  him 
in  that  way  ?     He  was  to  put  his  arm  around  her. 

Closing  the  book,  he  paced  hastily  up  and  down 
the  narrow  space  ;  the  murmur  of  voices  reached 
him  from  the  hall,  sometimes  deadened  by  the 
music,  sometimes  rising  above  the  softer  passages  ; 
there  was  a  pause  in  the  tableaux. 

Traugott  was  becoming  more  and  more  excited 
by  the  thought  of  everything  awaiting  him.  He 
scarcely  dared  to  believe  that  it  was  his  own  image 
reflected  in  the  mirror,  and  that  he  stood  awaiting 
the  girl  who,  to  him,  was  earth's  rarest  jewel.  He 
moved  nearer  to  the  glass,  threw  the  heavy  cloak 
across  his  shoulder,  pressed  the  cap  with  its  floating 
plume  lower  on  his  brow  and  moved  it  up  and  down 
a  little,  then  resumed  his  pacing  to  and  fro,  but 
more  slowly,  as  though,  by  this  monotonous  motion, 
he  hoped  to  soothe  the  tumultuous  emotion  which 
made  his  heart  throb  almost  to  bursting'. 


The   Opposite  House.  1 1 1 

Then  the  curtain  was  drawn  back,  and  Verja 
pushed  Grctchen  upon  the  stage. 

"  There  are  a  few  minutes  yet.  I  '11  come  pres- 
ently and  arrange  the  tableau.  Refreshments  are 
being  served  to  the  audience." 

Then  she  vanished,  and  the  young  girl  stood  alone 
before  Traugott,  confused  and  blushing.  Gerrald 
involuntarily  advanced  a  step  toward  her  as  she 
timidly  raised  her  blue  eyes  to  gaze  in  silent 
astonishment  at  the  striking  beauty  of  his  appear- 
ance. 

"  Aunt  Verja  told  me  that  you  would  take  Count 
Launers's  place,  Herr  Gerrald.  I  thank  you  for  the 
kindness." 

She  uttered  the  few  words  timidly,  almost  in  a 
whisper,  and  scarcely  ventured  to  meet  his  radiant 
eyes. 

"The  kindness  is  to  me,  baroness,"  he  answered, 
hastily.  "  Accept  my  heartfelt  thanks.  I  can 
scarcely  believe  this  sudden  good  fortune — cannot 
yet  grasp  the  thought  which  seemed  so  unattain- 
able and  was  so  suddenly  realized  !  Forgive  me  if 
I  perhaps  advance  to  your  side  too  boldly — obey 
your  aunt's  summons  too  willingly  !" 

Marie  looked  up,  smiling  and  happy. 

At  last  the  stage  was  set  for  Martha  s  garden. 

"  Isn't  Doctor  Brand  ready  yet  ?"  Verja  called 
back. 


112  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Brand  ?  Is  he  to  appear  in  the  tableau,  too  ?" 
asked  Gerrald,  in  surprise. 

"  Oh,  I  forgot — it  was  to  be  a  surprise  to  you  also. 
Of  course.  Brand  is  our  Mephistopheles.  Ah,  there 
comes  Martha  .'" 

Gerrald  turned,  a  hand  was  laid  heavily  on  his 
shoulder,  and,  almost  startling  in  its  disagreeable 
resemblance,  Mephistopheles  laughed  in  his  face. 

"  Capital !"  said  Verja,  approvingly.  "  You  are 
enough  to  frighten  us.  Go  into  the  background  at 
once.  Do  you  see  this  picture  ?  That 's  your  posi- 
tion in  promenading  with  Martha.  Herr  Gerrald 
and  Marie,  come  here,  please ;  close  to  the  front." 

It  was  not  difficult  to  group  the  handsome  couple 
advantageously.  Gerrald  could  easily  fix  an  admir- 
ing glance  upon  Marie's  face ;  clasp  her  slender  fig- 
ure tenderly.  True,  he  scarcely  ventured  to  touch 
her,  and  the  first  time  Verja  was  obliged  to  say : 
"  Don't  be  too  stiff,  Herr  Gerrald."  The  second  at- 
tempt was  much  better. 

At  last  everything  was  ready.  Gretcheti,  with 
face  averted,  counted  the  white  petals  of  the  daisy. 
Mephistopheles  and  his  companion  were  in  the  back- 
ground. 

The  curtain  slowly  rose,  a  soft  melody  from 
"  Faust  "  greeted  the  exquisite  picture.  There  was 
no  other  sound  in  the  hall ;  the  audience  scarcely 
ventured  to  breathe.      Gretchen  trembled  in  the 


The  Opposite  House.  113 

embrace  of  the  handsome  man.  She  dared  not 
raise  her  dark  lashes,  and  fancied  he  must  hear  the 
rapid  beating  of  her  heart,  which  threatened  to 
stifle  her.  The  folds  of  purple  cloth  fell,  a  death- 
like silence  still  reigned,  broken  by  thunders  of  ap. 
plause,  shouts  of  encore — till  the  enraptured  audi- 
ence again  beheld  the  tableau,  which  was  the 
masterpiece  of  the  entertainment. 

Marie  involuntarily  leaned  closer  to  the  handsome 
man ;  her  eyes  questioned  the  white  petals  a 
second  time.  "  He  loves  me — loves  me  not — loves 
me  not." 

Gerrald  looked  marvelously  well.  The  noble 
head,  with  its  regular  profile,  seemed  chiseled  from 
stone  ;  the  haughty  features  were  motionless,  and, 
as  he  took  his  position  the  second  time,  the  cap  had 
slipped  back  and  his  thick  fair  hair  fell  low  over  his 
white  brow — the  accident  enhanced  the  beauty  of 
the  tableau. 

"Who  is  it?  Who  are  they?"  was  asked  on  all 
sides.  A  tumult  of  voices  rose,  and,  like  a  cry  of 
victory,  the  names  "  Rotterswyl,"  "  Gerrald  "  echoed 
through  the  hall. 

Two  eyes  alone  rested  with  a  fixed,  lustreless 
gaze  upon  the  beautiful  picture,  two  hands  were 
convulsively  clinched  in  rage  among  the  folds  of 
black  moire  antique.  They  were  the  hands  of  the 
widowed  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl.    A  sudden  tern- 


114  The  Opposite  House. 

pest  of  wrath  raged  in  her  soul,  her  wounded  pride 
rebelled  against  the  name  which  blended  with  hers 
as  if  it  were  a  matter  of  course,  yet  which  ought  to 
remain  for  ever  as  alien  as  the  fire  which  is 
quenched  when  it  meets  with  water. 

Meanwhile  the  curtain,  in  response  to  the  in- 
sistent applause,  rose  for  the  third  time.  Faust 
clasped  his  Grctchen  proudly  in  his  embrace,  and, 
as  the  curtain  slowly  fell,  he  whispered,  softly : 

"  What  did  the  flower  say,  baroness  ?" 

Marie,  with  quivering  lips,  silently  shook  her 
head  ;  but  his  glance  met  eyes  which,  with  divine 
innocence,  confessed  :  "  I  love  you." 

No  one  noticed  it  save  one  diabolical  face  peering 
through  the  branches  of  an  oleander,  above  which 
nodded  the  cock's  plumes  in  a  pointed  hat — Meph- 
istopheles  ! 


One  mild  spring  evening  in  Wiesbaden  two  men 
met  each  other  in  the  Kurhaus  grounds  and  ex- 
changed cordial  greetings. 

"  Now  tell  your  story,  brother  of  my  heart,"  said 
one.  "  By  all  the  imps  of  the  nether  world.  Brand, 
you  are  a  marvelously  clever  fellow,  and  if  I  did  not 
feel  your  warm  hand  in  my  fingers,  I  might  believe 
that  you  were  the  Old  Nick  in  person  !  Pardon  the 
compliment,  it 's  meant  in  all  kindness.   So  you  are 


The   Opposite  House.  1 1 5 

here !  Zounds,  it  has  been  quickly  done !  And 
Gerrald,  too,  I  hope,  with  the  bank  bills." 

''  If  you  would  lower  your  tones  one-half,  I  could 
hear  just  as  well,"  replied  Doctor  Brand,  with  a 
shade  of  indignation.  "  Remember  that  we  are  not 
alone."  His  eyes  wandered  over  the  open  space 
behind  the  Kurhaus,  between  whose  pillars  the 
guests  were  moving  to  and  fro  ;  then,  thrusting  his 
arm  through  his  companion's,  he  led  him  into  the 
shaded  grounds.  "  Of  course  I  have  him  here  ;  the 
whole  clan,  in  fact,"  he  went  on,  in  a  lowered  tone. 
"  But  what  does  that  avail  ?  Many  a  drop  of  water 
will  flow  down  the  Rhine  before  we  get  him  to  the 
gaming-table  ;  the  fellow  is  more  obstinate  than 
ever.  The  virtuous  baroness  abhors  gamblers,  and 
I  fear  that  will  be  enough  to  make  the  lover  refuse 
to  touch  a  rake  again.  Deuce  take  the  whole  fem- 
inine sex !" 

"That  would  be  a  pity,"  said  his  companion, 
"  v'hen  we  don't  bow  under  her  gentle  yoke — " 

"  I  hope.  Otto,  you  will  be  fireproof,"  interrupted 
Brand,  with  a  hasty  side-glance.  "  Pshaw,  I  know 
you  love  the  fragrance  of  flowers — everybody  to  his 
taste — but  I  think  our  night-moth  doesn't  stick 
long." 

Herr  Wikke  paused,  and  relieved  his  feelings  by 
a  tolerably  loud  laugh. 

"  You   seem   to  have   turned   hypochondriac  in 


1 1 6  The  Opposite  House. 

D ,  Hans,"  he  cried,  slapping  his  friend  on  the 

shoulder.  "  I  think  such  an  idea  would  be  rather 
insulting  to  a  fellow  of  my  profession.  And  what 
is  to  become  of  our  plans  ?  They  are  nearer  to  my 
heart  than  the  whole  fair  sex."  He  stroked  his  red 
mustache  as  he  spoke,  and  his  little,  twinkling  eyes 
wandered  over  the  open  portion  of  the  grounds. 
"  I  have  but  one  sweetheart  in  this  world — gold — 
gold  with  its  shining  little  face.  It 's  the  fortune  of 
war.  One  person  cuts  another's  throat,  and  I  be- 
lieve everybody  will  soon  pray  :  '  The  Lord  pre- 
serve us  from  our  friends.'  Gerrald  is  still  intimate 
with  you?" 

Doctor  Brand  quietly  twisted  his  glossy  mustache. 

"  It  would  be  better  to  put  it  the  other  way.  I 
have  honored  him  with  little  of  my  confidence,  and 
when  I  have  enjoined  secrecy,  the  tales  I  told  him 
usually  existed  only  in  my  imagination.  I  have  im- 
parted various  harmless  matters,  spoken  earnestly 
and  penitently  of  former  youthful  errors,  and  wasted 
many  words  where  I  desired  to  use  but  few ;  life 
only  too  frequently  hinges  upon  trifles.  Hitherto  I 
have  had  brilliant  success ;  how  matters  will  con- 
tinue^— we  shall  see  !" 

"  Brains  like  yours,  Max,  devise  ways  and  means 
daily,"  said  his  companion,  nodding  thoughtfully. 
"  Since  you  have  been  successful  thus  far,  we  shall 
finally  car 'y  our  point.     How  is  the  little  Chenois?" 


The  Opposite  House.  117 

"  I  didn't  find  her  at  home  the  last  time  I  called, 
but  sent  her  a  farewell  note,"  replied  Brand,  ab- 
sently switching  the  dusty  leaves  from  the  bough 
with  his  cane.  "  It  wouldn't  be  a  bad  thing  for  us 
to  have  the  pretty  Heloise  here.  True,  she  can't 
help  much,  but  she  has  often  suggested  clever  ideas, 
and,  which  is  the  main  thing,  she  would  be  a  prize 
for  our  table.  Her  jewels  are  not  to  be  despised. 
True,  she  has  no  vacation  now — it 's  the  wrong  time. 
But  at  all  events  I  '11  write  to  her.  Who  knows  ? 
Heloise  is  a  little  witch.  She  has  accomplished  far 
more  than  a  few  weeks'  leave  of  absence." 

"  But  our  venture — what  of  that  ?  It 's  infamous 
that  we  are  compelled  to  change  places." 

"  Everything  is  ready,"  whispered  the  other  mys- 
teriously. "  We  have  found  two  capital  rooms  in 
the  second  story  of  a  house  in  G  Street.  They  are 
in  the  rear,  look  out  into  a  secluded  garden,  andhave 
two  ways  of  egress.  The  lower  floor  is  occupied  by 
a  small  restaurant,  whose  landlord  has  joined  us. 
The  man  is  an  old  acquaintance  of  Luckardt,  and 
we  can  trust  him  implicitly. 

"  Whenever  you  have  time,  call  for  me.  I  '11  take 
you  there.  Luckardt  will  get  a  new  folding  rou- 
lette table.  I  '11  obtain  the  three  broken  rakes  from 
Frankfort.  That 's  all  that  is  necessary.  Have  you 
talked  with  Luckardt  ?" 

"  Not  yet,"  replied  Brand.     "  I  have  been  here 


1 1 8  The  Opposite  House. 

scarcely  forty-eight  hours,  and  this  is  the  second 
time  I  have  left  the  house.  So  we  are  now  to  carry 
on  the  business  upon  a  somewhat  grander  scale." 

"  At  any  rate  we  must  first  whet  Gerrald's  appe- 
tite at  the  Kurhaus.  Then  he  will  afterward  prefer 
to  play  secretly  on  account  of  the  baroness,  and, 
when  the  lion  has  once  tasted  blood,  I  should  like 
to  see  the  magician  who  can  restrain  a  passion  like 
that  of  the  handsome  Prince  of  the  Mills  !  Ha ! 
ha!  ha!" 

"  And  are  you  still  of  the  opinion  that  we  must 
sail  westward  ?" 

"  When  we  have  enough — unquestionably,"  re- 
plied Brand,  with  an  unpleasant  degree  of  confi- 
dence. "  Do  you  imagine  I  will  remain  here  longer 
under  the  noses  of  the  police  ?" 

"And  Heloise,  what  will  become  of  her?"  asked 
Wikke,  with  a  sensation  of  some  slight  discomfort. 

"  Heloise  ?  She  '11  soon  dance  the  lost  ducats  to- 
gether. A  few  evenings,  a  new  admirer,  and  her 
gems  will  be  replaced.  She  is  my  least  anxiety. 
She  is  pretty,  clever,  and  can  also  be  very  enter- 
taining. Besides,  in  case  of  necessity  she  will 
make  some  wealthy  suitor  happy  with  her 
hand," 

Wikke  made  no  reply.  Both  turned  into  the 
nearest  side-path.  Before  them  lay  the  little  lake, 
whose  mirror-like  surface  extended  in  the  rear  of 


The  Opposite  House.  119 

the  Kurhaus.  Brand  followed  it  with  a  certain  ap- 
pearance of  haste. 

The  trees  on  the  shore  hung  their  leafy  boughs 
low  over  the  water,  and  at  the  left  two  small  islands 
rose  abruptly  from  the  surface,  one  densely  wooded, 
and  washed  by  the  waves,  the  larger  one  connected 
with  the  shore  by  a  bridge.  Dainty  gondolas,  with 
gay  streamers  and  canopies,  moved  to  and  fro  over 
the  rippling  waves,  pausing  ever  and  anon  in  a 
shaded  cove,  or,  steered  by  a  lady's  hand,  floating 
in  the  center  of  the  lake. 

It  was  indeed  an  animated  scene  as  the  sun  shone 
so  brightly  down  upon  it,  casting  golden  spots  upon 
the  white  plumage  of  the  swans  ;  countless  ducklings 
and  coots  were  gathered  on  the  shore,  diving,  swim- 
ming, and  trustfully  emerging  on  the  velvet  turf 
whenever  some  child's  generous  hand  scattered 
crumbs  of  bread. 

Two  ladies,  both  tall  and  slender,  whose  figures 
bore  a  marked  resemblance  to  each  other,  were 
sjtanding  beside  the  railing  opposite  the  Kurhaus. 

Doctor  Brand  involuntarily  stopped  and  pressed 
his  companion's  arm  more  closely. 

"  The  Von  Rotterswyls  !"  he  whispered  hastily. 
"  Good  heavens,  that 's  the  last  thing  I  expected. 
Come,  Wikke,  turn  down  this  path.  I'  11  go  home 
with  you  another  time  ;  you  see  that  I  must  speak 
to  the  ladies — it  is  necessary  to  keep  on  good  terms  ! 


I20  The  Opposite  House. 

I  can't  introduce  you  ;  neither  your  name  nor  your 
looks  are  suitable  to  present  to  such  eyes.  Addio  ! 
I  '11  look  you  up  to-morrow."  Then  he  hastened 
on,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  standing  before 
Baroness  von  Rotterswyl,  who  welcomed  him  with 
evident  pleasure. 

Wikke  shaded  his  eyes  a  moment  with  his  hand, 
and  gazed  in  the  direction  of  the  group,  then  turned 
obediently  and  strolled  leisurely  through  the  leafy 
avenue  of  Wilhelmstrasse. 

Otto  Wikke  was  one  of  those  persons  whom  we 
meet  by  hundreds  at  the  present  day — a  broken- 
down  genius,  whose  talents,  under  better  guidance, 
even  if  they  had  won  no  distinguished  place,  would 
have  secured  their  possessor  a  position  in  which  he 
might  have  been  useful  to  society.  He  had  been 
educated,  but  on  account  of  a  debt  of  honor  was 
compelled  to  leave  the  university,  and  thus  had 
ruined  his  life. 

So  he  came  by  accident  to  Wiesbaden.  He  had 
two  florins  in  his  pocket — whence  obtained  he  had 
long  ceased  to  ask.  But  he  went  to  the  green 
table,  staked  them,  and  won  four  in  exchange. 
Again  he  staked  and  won.  He  continued  to  play, 
still  winning,  and  whether  Dame  Fortune  had  in- 
vested the  two  dirty  coins  with  some  sweet  spell 
or  Samiel  had  held  them  fast  on  rouge,  Wikke  won 
more  than  two  hundred  florins. 


The  Opposite  Hottse.  121 

The  passion  of  gambling  seized  his  very  soul. 
His  eyes  dilated  at  the  sight  of  the  sum  of  money 
constantly  growing  under  his  hands  ;  he  gathered 
the  clinking  coins  with  greedy  fingers  ;  his  insa- 
tiate eyes,  glittering  with  excitement,  rested  on  the 
luck-giving  rouge. 

Just  at  that  moment  a  hand,  heavy  and  cold,  was 
laid  on  his  shoulder. 

"  Stop  !"  a  voice  hissed  into  his  ear,  and  a  pair  of 
fiendish  eyes  glared  down  at  him.  "The  luck  is 
changing." 

Wikke  started,  and  gazed  with  an  almost  idiotic 
expression  into  the  face,  ghostlike  in  its  pallor,  of 
this  monitor,  then  almost  mechanically  drew  back 
his  money  and  arose. 

"  Come  with  me  !"  whispered  the  stranger,  smil- 
ing pleasantly.  "  You  are  a  favorite  of  fortune.  I 
congratulate  you,  but  you  are  gambling  for  the  first 
time — far  too  eagerly,  and  that  will  lead  to  no  good 
end."  So  he  took  Wikke  away  to  a  room  where 
champagne  was  sparkling,  and  a  well  -  furnished 
table  offered  an  inviting  supper.  Then  Wikke, 
with  a  giddy  brain,  went  up  to  his  miserable  attic 
room.  He  had  found  a  new  career,  a  future  which 
unrolled  itself  in  the  most  radiant  hues,  and  a  friend, 
who  called  himself  Doctor  Brand. 

So  he  had  remained  in  Wiesbaden,  daily  took  his 
place  at  the  green  table,  and  sank  from  step  to  step, 


122 


The  Opposite  House. 


till  he  at  last  stood  at  the  sharp  turn  from  which 
there  are  only  two  paths.  Either  the  way  leads  to 
that  dark  portal  whose  iron  grating  closes  behind 
the  criminal  for  life  or  it  ends  at  the  gulf  whose 
farther  shore  is  called  "  America,"  a  gulf  so  wide 
that  ninety-nine  out  of  every  hundred  sink  ere 
they  set  foot  on  the  land. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

ON   THE   SPOT. 

The  train  was  rushing  through  the  scorching 
sunshine,  two  shining  rows  of  rails  glittered  under 
the  wheels  and  vanished  in  serpentine  curves 
among  the  dry  mounds  of  sand.  Here  and  there  a 
solitary  fir  tree  or  a  clump  of  brown  junipers  stood 
beside  the  road  ;  with  that  exception  the  whole 
region  was  desolate.  Beyond  Frankfort  the  scene 
changed.  The  blue  outlines  of  mountains  rose 
against  the  sky,  the  waves  of  the  broad  Main  and 
Rhine  glittered,  and  dark  pine  woods  cast  their 
pointed  shadows  on  the  yellow  sand. 

Heloise  had  left  D suddenly,  ostensibly  for  a 

month.  She  had  complained  recently  of  pains  in 
her  limbs,  said  that  she  positively  could  not  dance 
any  more,  and  the  physician  had  willingly  given 
her  a  certificate  which  at  once  secured  leave  of  ab- 
sence from  the  court  stage. 

She  was  now  travelling  directly  to  Wiesbaden, 
and,  in  her  en7iui,  wondering  what  she  should  find 

[123] 


124  ^^^  opposite  House. 

there   to   amuse  her.     She  did  not  wish  to  gamble. 

There  was  only  one  lady  in  the  carriage — an  ele- 
gant, aristocratic  woman,  with  sparkling  eyes  and  a 
Southern  complexion.  Her  leather  bag  had  the 
initials  "  V.  von  K.,"  surmounted  by  a  coronet. 
Heloise  recognized  her  as  the  admired  darling  of 

D society.      She    herself    had    often    peeped 

through  the  curtain  concealins:  the  stage  and  envied 
the  beautiful  Madam  von  Kartegg  her  seat  beside 
the  princess.  She  knew  that  Brand  and  Gerrald 
visited  her,  and  she  determined  not  to  leave  this  op- 
portunity of  making  her  acquaintance  unused.  A 
Frenchwoman  possesses  natural  grace  of  manner, 
and  when  Heloise  chose,  and  did  not  lapse  into  her 
off-hand  air,  she  could  vie  with  any  fashionable 
dame. 

"  Pardon  me,  madam,  but  does  the  closed  win- 
dow annoy  you  ?"  she  began,  in  perfect  French. 
"  The  carriage  is  so  terribly  close,  it  would  be  bet- 
ter to  open  it." 

Verja,  too,  was  weary  of  solitude ;  she  spoke 
French  well,  liked  to  use  the  language,  and  was 
glad  to  find  entertainment.     Conversation  followed. 

The  dancer  had  opened  the  window,  and  then  re- 
sumed her  seat,  smoothing  the  folds  of  her  rustling 
silk.  She  looked  extremely  pretty  under  the  thin 
gauze  veil. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?"  asked  Frau  von  Kar- 


The  Opposite  House.  125 

tegg-,  in  a  tone  of  interest.  "  But,  of  course,  it  must 
be  to  the  springs.  Who  would  pass  them  at  this 
season  ?" 

"  To  be  sure,  madam,"  replied  the  Parisian, 
smiling  pleasantly.  "  I  expect  to  use  the  waters  at 
Wiesbaden  and,  to  be  frank,  anticipate  much  pleas- 
ure from  the  change.  Nothing  is  so  detestable  to 
me  as  ennui.'' 

This  touched  the  most  responsive  chord  in  Ver ja's 
soul.  She  eagerly  assented,  and  they  were  soon 
chatting  as  gayly  as  old  acquaintances. 

The  young  matron  felt  singularly  attracted  by  the 
unusually  piquant  manner  of  her  companion.  Her 
conversation  was  light  and  amusing — a  swift  play 
upon  words,  such  as  only  Frenchwomen  can  man- 
age, who  use  many  thousand  words  without  really 
saying  much,  laugh  and  jest,  3'et  never  bore  one  with 
the  light  froth  of  their  talk. 

Verja  was  pondering.  Where  had  she  seen  those 
mischievous  eyes?  Where  had  the  saucy  little 
nose,  with  its  delicate  arch,  charmed  her?  And 
where  had  those  scarlet  lips,  that  bright  little  sou- 
brette  face,  attracted  her  attention  ?  She  knew  that 
she  had  seen  them  somewhere. 

"  It  is  possible  that  wc  may  meet  in  Wiesbaden." 
she  said,  kindly,  "  and  in  that  case  I  shou.ld  like  to 
know  what  name  to  give  you,  frdulein.  Shall  we 
exchange  cards?" 


1 26  The  Opposite  House. 

She  held  out  a  dainty  bit  of  pasteboard. 

"  '  Verja,  Baroness  von  Kartegg,'  "  Heloise  read ; 
then  turned  to  the  Russian,  with  a  winning  air  of 
surprise.  "  A  very  familiar  name  to  me,  baroness. 
Who  has  not  heard  of  the  star  of  our  drawing- 
rooms  ?  It  is  accident,  not  presumption,  which  led 
me  to  make  your  acquaintance.  I  am  Heloise 
Chenois." 

Like  a  flash  of  lightning  Verja's  memory  returned. 
She  now  knew  where  the  little  face  had  bewitched 
her.  Satanclla  !  Pride  and  curiosity  struggled  for 
an  instant  in  her  heart,  but  the  latter  conquered. 

'*  Mademoiselle  Chenois  ?"  she  exclaimed,  in  a 
jesting  tone.  "  And  you  did  not  tell  me  so  long 
ago,  but  quietly  let  me  grope  about  in  the  darkness, 
when  the  light  was  so  close  at  hand,  you  artiste  par 
excellence  ?  I  am  extremely  glad  to  make  your  ac- 
quaintance, frdiileinr 

Verja's  enthusiastic  temperament  instantly  kin- 
dled into  eager  admiration  of  this  entertaining  com- 
panion. How  much  she  had  heard  of  this  woman  ! 
The  romantic  episode  with  Gerrald  was  enough  to 
awaken  a  desire  to  know  its  heroine.  She  would 
have  been  glad  to  question  Heloise  about  him  and 
request  an  explanation  of  many  things,  but  the  fear 
ofbeingindisereetrestrainedher.  And  Brand?  What 
had  he  not  told  her  concerning  the  endless  variety 
of  Heloise's  whims  and  caprices  ? 


The  Opposite  House.  127 

So  those  were  the  lips  Gerrald  had  ardently 
kissed  ;  those  were  the  glowing  eyes  which  gave  the 
sentence  of  life  and  death  ;  that  was  the  bewitching 
smile  which  turned  the  heads  of  men  !  And  this 
dainty,  elegant  creature  in  silk  and  lace  was  the 
leading  ballet  dancer,  the  queen  of  the  stage,  the 
sovereign  of  the  day,  and — the  deserted  lady-love 
of  the  handsome  Prince  of  the  Mill !  Was  it  not  in- 
teresting? Verja  could  not  weary  of  asking  ques- 
tions about  the  romantic  side  of  the  mimic  life  be- 
hind the  footlights.  Her  new  acquaintance  under- 
stood how  to  describe  it  entertainingly. 

An  hour  in  a  railway  carriage  often  makes  people 
better  acquainted  than  a  year  of  formal  social  inter- 
course ;  and  the  mutual  interest  felt  by  these  two 
vivacious  women  was  very  great. 

A  shrill  whistle  interrupted  their  conversation. 
Verja  seized  her  sunshade  and  straightened  the 
little  straw  hat  resting  on  her  waving  hair.  The 
Frenchwoman  buttoned  her  light-gray  gloves  and 
looked  out  of  the  window. 

"  Wiesbaden  !"  she  nodded.  "  How  quickly  the 
time  has  passed  !" 

A  noisy  throng  was  surging  to  and  fro  upon  the 
platform. 

"  Marie  !"  called  Verja  from  the  carriage,  and  the 
young  girl  rushed  to  the  door,  exclaiming  with  de- 


128  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Have  you  arrived  at  last,  dearest  aunt  !" 

"It  is  fortunate,  child,  that  you  have  come  to  re- 
ceive  a  poor  grass-widow  with  military  assistance," 
said  Verja,  laughing  and  giving  her  a  tender  em- 
brace. "  So  much  the  better.  Now  I  shall  have 
courage  to  make  my  way  through  this  human  del- 
uge. Adieu,  mademoiselle.  I  hope  we  shall  meet 
again,"  Verja  called  back,  and  the  next  instant  van- 
ished in  the  throng. 

"  Who  is  that  lady  ?"  asked  Marie.  "  She  is 
very  pretty." 

"  Mademoiselle  Chenois,"  said  A'erja,  hurriedly. 

Heloise  also  sprang  from  the  carriage.  It  was 
some  time  before  the  trunks  could  be  found,  and 
she  was  so  impatient  to  get  away.  At  last  she  was 
seated  in  the  carriage,  rolling  down  sunny  Wilhelm- 
strasse. 

The  Kurhaus  gleamed  in  the  distance.  There 
were  the  gaming-tables.  There  she  would  see  Ger- 
rald  again. 

"  Good  luck,"  she  murmured,  laughing.  "  Now  let 
the  drama  begin.     I  shall  be  on  the  spot." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


A   CRISIS. 


A  motley  throng  crowded  the  halls  of  the  Kurhaus 
in  Wiesbaden  ;  gay  melodies,  in  whose  alluring 
waltz-measures  the  very  heart  and  soul  melted, 
were  heard.  A  full-dress  ball  was  being  given  in 
there. 

A  large  party  of  acquaintances  had  just  returned 
from  a  promenade  through  the  illuminated  garden. 
The  merry  group  assembled  in  a  side-hall  to  consult 
what  should  next  be  done. 

"  Suppose,"  said  Doctor  Brand,  "that  we  walk 
through  the  gaming-halls  as  swiftly  as  fate  and  as 
noiselessly  as  the  wind,  and  watch  the  players  at 
trente  et  quarante  ?  We  shall  risk  neither  colds 
nor  baths,  and  not  stray  too  far  from  the  fountain 
of  champagne." 

**  Bravo,  so  we  will !"  answered  several  laughing 

f»9j 


130  The  Opposite  House. 

voices.  A  young  officer  offered  Verja  his  arm  and 
moved  toward  the  gaming-halls. 

"I  shall  not  join  the  party,"  said  Gerrald,  with  a 
clouded  brow.  "  Go  with  Fraulein  von  Rotterswyl, 
Brand  !" 

"  Don't  make  yourself  ridiculous,"  the  latter 
hissed  into  his  ear.  "  Do  you  want  to  waken  old 
memories  and  gossip  by  such  extraordinary  con- 
duct ?  People  will  ask,  '  Why  doesn't  he  come  ?' 
and  receive  the  answer  :  '  He  distrusts  himself !'  " 

This  had  its  effect.  Gerrald  bit  his  lips  and 
offered  Marie  his  arm.  A  tempest  was  raging  in 
his  soul,  and  the  young  girl  noticed  his  agitation. 

"  Shall  we  stay  behind  ?"  she  asked  softly. 

A  deep  flush  crimsoned  his  face,  and  he  raised  his 
fair  head  proudly. 

"Certainly  not;  why  should  we?"  he  answered 
almost  roughly,  and  passed  through  the  open  door. 

"  I  hate  gambling  and  its  devotees  !"  said  Marie, 
with  an  anxious  glance  at  his  pale  face.  A  strange 
feeling  stole  over  her,  a  dread  which  fairly  stopped 
her  breath. 

Gerrald  smiled  faintly,  as  he  replied : 

"So  do  I." 

A  foreboding  haunted  the  young  girl.  vShe 
wanted  to  ask  him  to  turn  back,  and  began  to  ad- 
dress him  in  a  grave,  earnest  tone  ;  but  ere  she 
could  finish  her  sentence  Brand  turned  and  put  his 


The  Opposite  House.  131 

finger  on  his  lips.  No  talking  was  allowed  in  the 
gaming-hall. 

They  were  standing  beside  the  roulette  table. 

"  Rouge  /"  cried  the  croupier's  monotonous  voice. 
"  Trente  et  un  !""  and  hands  pocketed  the  coin  with 
trembling  haste,  the  ball  buzzed  and  hummed  as  it 
ran  down  ;  and  the  unvarying  voice  continued  its 
call,  while  the  gamblers  listened  with  feverish  ex- 
citement. Ah,  when  the  ball  stopped  it  sent  a 
thrill  through  nerve  and  bone. 

"  Let  us  go  !"  whispered  Gerrald.  "  Let  us  move 
on  !"  He  passed  his  hand  across  his  brow,  and  his 
restless  eyes  wandered  to  Marie.  A  gold  band  glit- 
tered in  her  hair — gold,  wherever  he  looked. 

He  pressed  forward  to  another  table.  The  crou- 
pier  held  a  pack  of  cards  in  his  hand. 

"  Faites  T'^/r^_/>«,  messieurs  !"  he  said,  as  he  slowly 
turned  the  cards.  Again  that  strange  thrill  ran 
through  Gerrald's  frame.  How  often  he  had  stood 
at  that  table,  betting  with  feverish  excitement  on 
that  game.  How  often  the  cards  had  turned  in  his 
favor  ;  how  often  they  had  gathered  up  his  gold — 
forever.  He  stood  gazing  fixedly  at  the  gay  bits 
of  pasteboard,  his  lips  parted,  and  a  feverish  flush 
glowed  on  his  cheeks. 

"  Won  !"  he  cried  with  sparkling  eyes. 

The  sudden  exclamation  made  Marie  look  up  ; 
the  expression  of  his  face  startled  her. 


132  The  Opposite  House. 

'•  Let  us  go,  Herr  Gerrald !"  she  timidly  en- 
treated. 

"  Go  !"  he  repeated,  as  though  in  a  dream.  "  Yes, 
let  us  go,"  and  went  silently  back  to  the  ball-room, 
where  the  band  was  beginning  to  play. 

Marie  stood  still  and  pressed  her  hand  upon  his 
arm. 

"  I  don't  like  that  frown  on  your  forehead,  Herr 
Gerrald  !"  she  exclaimed,  and  then  added,  beseech- 
ingly :  "  Promise  me  not  to  go  back  there  !" 

Traugott  passed  his  hand  slowly  across  his  brow. 

"  Fear  nothing,"  he  said,  with  a  strangely  fixed 
expression,  "  it  will  smooth  again." 

They  danced  together.  Then  Marie  was  claimed 
by  a  young  attache. 

"  Let  us  drink  a  glass  of  wine.  Come,  my  friend." 
Doctor  Brand  put  his  arm  through  Gerrald's  and 
drew  him  away. 

The  wine  glowed  like  fire  in  his  veins,  and  his 
brow  became  deeply  flushed.  Brand  constantly  re- 
filled his  glass. 

"  Have  you  been  watching  the  play  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes  ;  at  two  tables." 

"  And  did  you  feel  no  desire  to  try  your  luck  ?" 

The  tempter  bent  close  to  him,  smiling. 

Traugott  laughed. 

"  No  ;  I  dare  not." 

"  Are  you  a  slave  ?    Who  rules  you  ?" 


The  Opposite  House, 


"  My  corivScience." 

"  Don't  be  a  simpleton,  Gerrald,  and  drop  such 
follies,  which,  may  suit  prudish  spinsters,  but  not  a 
man.  Put  on  petticoats  and  sit  in  a  corner,  if  you 
haven't  courage  and  strength  enough  to  govern 
your  own  passions.  If  you  don't  wish  to  play,  very 
well ;  omit  it,  but  at  least  go  with  me.  I  want  to 
risk  something  to-day." 

Gerrald  ground  his  teeth  as  he  started  up,  and 
hurriedly  advanced  toward  him. 

"  Never  dare  to  sneer  at  me  again.  Brand,  or  you 
shall  learn  to  know  the  man  whom  you  would  like 
to  put  into  petticoats  \  Come,  I  '11  go  and  show  you 
whether  I  have  a  will  of  my  own  or  not." 

Gerrald  followed  him  to  the  trente  et  qiiarante 
table  and,  leaning  on  Brand's  chair,  gazed  steadily 
at  the  white  hand  of  the  croupier,  which  so  calmly 
dealt  out  life  and  death. 

He  glanced  up  hurriedly  as  Brand  held  out  a 
handful  of  coins. 

"  Won  !"  he  said. 

Then,  as  his  dull  gaze  roved  over  the  long  table, 
he  started  as  he  met  a  pair  of  sparkling  eyes.  At 
the  end  of  the  table  sat  the  gold-witch,  in  an  exqui- 
site toilet,  and  resting  her  head,  with  its  crown  of 
dark  curls,  on  her  hand,  smiled  at  him — Heloise. 

Traugott  gazed  into  those  dark  eyes  as  if  spell- 
bound.   Was  not  that  the  same  sweet,  alluring  smile 


134  ^^^  Opposite  House. 

with  which  she  had  charmed  him,  which  he  had 
idolized  and  then  abandoned  ?  All  the  blissful  vi- 
sions of  former  happiness  rose  before  his  memory  ; 
he  Was  compelled  to  think  of  the  hours  which  he  had 
dreamed  away  in  her  society ;  he  saw  the  fasci- 
nating creature  dance  over  the  boards ;  heard  her 
gay  laugh  when  she  pledged  him  from  the  foaming 
goblet. 

The  sounds  echoed  around  him  as  they  had  done 
in  those  days ;  the  green  cloth  wavered  before  his 
eyes,  and  notes  of  sweet  music  floated  faintly  from 
the  distant  ball-room. 

"Will  you  bet  with  me,  Gerrald?"  asked  Brand, 
holding  out  the  gold  coin.     "  Try  once." 

Traugott  took  it ;  it  burned  between  his  fingers 
and  intoxicated  his  senses ;  he  no  longer  realized 
where  he  was,  what  he  had  promised  ;  he  knew  only 
that  everything  around  affected  him  like  a  spell ; 
he  mechanically  held  out  his  hand — and  staked  it. 

Brand  rose,  and  Traugott,  dropping  into  the 
chair,  unconsciously  took  the  heap  of  gold  which  he 
had  won.  He  played  on  and  on  ;  the  sum  increased 
under  his  hands,  and  the  passion  of  gambling  glowed 
in  his  eyes  and  crimsoned  his  brow  with  a  deepen- 
ing flush.  Curious  spectators  gathered  around  and 
watched  him.  He  was  not  aware  of  his  own  good 
fortune. 

Bank-notes   came   to  him,   but  he  pushed  them 


The  Opposite  House.  135 

heedlessly  aside.  He  wanted  to  see  nothing  but  gold 
— gold!  He  reveled  with  increasing  pleasure  in  the 
wealth,  and  made  the  coins  clink  against  one  another. 

"  Stop  !"  Brand  whispered.  "  You  have  a  large 
sum  there." 

Traugott  staggered  to  his  feet. 

"What  dance  is  beginning  now?"  he  suddenly 
asked  an  acquaintance,  hastily  fastening  the  coat 
which  he  had  thrown  back  while  playing. 

"  The  third,"  and  the  young  man  hastened  on. 

"  I  must  go,"  exclaimed  Gerrald.  "  Stay  here, 
Brand.     I  '11  be  back  soon." 

He  hurried  to  the  ball-room  without  looking  back, 
and  therefore  did  not  see  Doctor  Brand  approach 
the  "  gold  witch,"  and  slip  something  into  her  hand. 
She  was  evidently  delighted,  and  questioned  him, 
but  at  a  wave  of  his  hand  she  concealed  the  gold 
case  in  the  folds  of  her  dress. 

Marie  was  standing  near  a  pillar  in  the  spacious 
hall,  glancing  sadly  over  the  throng  seeking  him. 

Traugott  hurriedly  approached.  His  face  was 
flushed,  and  his  hair  hung  in  tangled  locks  about 
his  pale  face. 

"  Pardon  me,"  he  said,  in  an  agitated  tone,  "  I  did 
not  know  that  the  dance  had  begun." 

**  Where  were  you  ?"  asked  Marie,  her  heart  beat- 
ing passionately  as  she  raised  her  eyes  with  a  be- 
seeching, anxious  look,  as  if  she  dreaded  his  reply. 


136  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Over  yonder,"  he  answered,  excitedly.  "  I  could 
not  help  it.  The  sounds  were  so  alluring  that  I 
was  forced  to  play.  Have  you  ever  heard  the  coins 
ring  till  the  echo  reached  the  inmost  depths  of  your 
soul?  The  wine  was  so  fiery  that  it  went  to  my 
head.  But  I  have  won — won  an  immense  amount 
of  gold." 

Marie's  sweet  face  grew  deadly  pale  as,  pressing 
her  hand  upon  her  heart  to  stifle  a  sharp  pang,  she 
struggled  for  composure. 

"  Pardon  me,"  continued  Traugott,  in  an  agitated 
tone.  "Do  you  hear?  That  is  //  Bacio.  Let  us 
waltz." 

"  Back  !"  she  answered  in  a  trembling  voice.  "  Do 
not  dare  to  touch  my  hand." 

He  looked  fixedly  at  her  with  a  questioning  gaze. 
He  did  no   understand  her  meaning. 

"  I  told  you  just  now  my  opinion  of  gambling  and 
gamblers,  Herr  Gerrald,"  she  said,  her  breath  com- 
ing more  quickly  as  she  drew  her  slender  figure  to 
its  full  height.  "  I  hate  frivolous  people,  men  who 
break  their  promises.  I  do  not  comprehend  the 
changeable  mortals  who  cannot  keep  their  word,  and 
will  have  nothing  to  do  with  those  for  whom  my 
request  has  so  little  value." 

She  had  put  out  her  hand  to  thrust  him  back,  and 
her  eyes  rested  on  him  coldly  and  calmly.  All  the 
pride  of  her  nature  rose  in  rebellion  in  her  heart, 


The  Opposite  House.  137 

rending  between  her  and  her  lover  a  chasm  whose 
yawning  black  depths  threatened  to  swallow  her 
whole  happiness. 

"  Good  heavens  !"  he  exclaimed,  almost  vehe- 
mently.    "  Are  these  words  meant  for  me  ?" 

"  They  are  my  farewell  to  you,  Herr  Gerrald,"  she 
answered,  faintly.  Her  hands  were  clasped,  and  her 
blue  eyes  filled  with  tears.  "  Forget  me,  as  I,  too, 
will  forget  that  I  have  ever  known  you," 

"  Marie  !"  he  cried  in  horror.  "  In  the  name  of 
Heaven's  pity,  stay !" 

But  the  young  girl  did  not  hear.  She  had  turned 
and  did  not  see  the  terrible  change  in  his  features 
as  he  struck  his  brow  with  his  clenched  hand  and 
stood  gazing  after  her  like  a  somnambulist.  She 
moved  steadily  on,  and  a  voice  in  his  heart  seemed 
to  utter  a  cry  of  despair. 

"  What  is  it,  Gerrald  ?"  asked  a  low  voice  behind 
him.  The  voice  which  had  lured  him  to  destruc- 
tion. 

"  What  is  it  ?"  replied  Traugott,  with  blazing 
eyes.  "  A  settlement  with  you,  Brand !"  He  ap- 
proached him  with  clinched  hands,  his  voice  hoarse 
from  emotion. 

"  Don't  be  a  fool  !"  said  the  other,  laughing.  "  Do 
you  want  to  quarrel  with  a  friend,  because  a  haughty 
girl  has  at  last  found  a  pretext  for  giving  you  your 
walking  ticket  ?     Ha,  ha,  ha  !    Do  you  really  believe 


138  The  Opposite  House. 

that  a  Von  Rotterswyl  bade  you  farewell  because 
you  once  staked  something  on  cards  out  of  ennui  ? 
Nonsense  !  If  she  loved  you,  she  would  have  for- 
given you  after  giving  a  kindly  warning  to  respect 
her  wishes.  The  fair  baroness  is  tired  of  her 
plebeian  toy  and  now  flings  it  into  a  corner.  She 
availed  herself  of  the  first  excuse,  and  she  was  com- 
pelled to  tell  you  plainly  because  you,  innocent 
fellow,  did  not  notice  that  your  attentions  were 
becoming  wearisome." 

Traugott  had  blanched  to  the  hue  of  marble,  the 
veins  on  his  forehead  swelled,  and  a  scarlet  flush 
crimsoned  his  cheeks  for  an  instant. 

"  Have  mercy.  Brand,"  he  groaned. 

"  Mercy  ?  In  order  to  say  a  few  sweet  words 
about  yonder  amiable  young  lady  ?"  Brand  jeered 
rudely.  "  Don't  be  a  Braekenburg,  to  bewail  an 
insolent  beauty  !  Are  you  not  your  own  master  ? 
How  did  the  little  girl  have  the  presumption  to 
prescribe  rules  for  your  actions?  Come,  Gerrald, 
raise  the  flag  of  defiance  and  show  that  the  rich 
Prince  of  the  Mill  can  live  without  a  baroness. 
Come,  my  friend,  now  we  11  be  jolly.     Vive  lajoie  .^" 

Traugott  laughed.  The  sound  was  terrible.  Even 
Brand  shrank. 

"  Be  jolly,  be  jolly  !"  he  repeated,  with  wandering 
eyes.  "  You  are  right ;  we  will  be  gay  !  At  the 
green  table  sits  a  woman,  reckless,  beautiful — and 


The  Opposite  House.  139 

with  no  coronet.  It  is  long  since  I  have  kissed  any 
lips.  I  yearn  to  humble  myself  to  the  dust.  Come, 
Brand,  I  will  try  whether  a  ballet-dancer  can  for- 
give !"  He  rushed  through  the  long  suite  of  apart- 
ments and  leaned  over  Heloise's  chair.  "  Do  you 
love  me  still,  Heloise?" 

She  started  up,  shaking  her  curls  back  from  her 
brow. 

"  Gerrald,"  she  whispered,  "  have  you  come  at 
last  ?"  And  clinging  to  his  arm  with  beaming  eyes, 
she  drew  him  toward  the  open  door.  "  Come,  dear- 
est ;  the  lanterns  are  swaying  outside,  the  moon  is 
shining  on  the  quiet  lake,  and  the  green  branches 
will  repeat  no  tender  whispers." 

Marie  walked  silently  beside  her  uncle  Franz. 
Her  head  had  sunk  on  his  shoulder,  and  she  wept 
burning  tears.  All  this  misery  had  come  upon  her 
so  quickly,  so  suddenly  ;  the  sweet  dream  was  for- 
ever shattered.  A  single  quarter  of  an  hour  had 
decided  her  earthly  existence.  How  could  she  help 
breaking  down  ? 

A  little  island  in  the  lake  was  connected  with  the 
land  by  a  wooden  bridge.  Tall  trees  shaded  it,  and 
the  slender  branches  of  glimmering  alders  dipped 
into  the  water.  To  this  spot  Franz  von  Kartegg 
led  his  grieving  niece. 

Marie  suddenly  started  and  stood  as  though  spell- 
bound.    Surely,  those  loud,  passionate  tones  were 


140  The  Opposite  House. 

Gerrald's.  It  was  he  standing  there  in  the  bright 
moonlight.  And  the  woman  before  him,  sitting  so 
carelessly  on  the  bench,  with  her  hands  clasped 
around  her  knee — was  not  that  Heloise  ? 

A  pang  of  bitter  anguish  pierced  the  heart  of  the 
young  baroness.  Her  pure  soul  rebelled.  She 
longed  to  make  her  escape,  yet  could  not  help 
pleading  with  heart-rending  sorrow  : 

"  Stay,  uncle  ;  I  must  see  whether  he  has  entirely 
forgotten  me." 

"  Heloise  !"  cried  Gerrald,  with  vehement  passion, 
"  do  not  upbraid  me  for  a  love  which  I  neither  will  nor 
can  deny.  You  charmed  me  as  a  woman  rarely  has 
power  to  do  ;  you  fettered  my  soul  and  held  to  my 
lips  the  sweet  potion  which  makes  a  man  forget  the 
world ;  you  rendered  me  joyous  and  happy  by  your 
love.  But  you  never  filled  my  heart  with  that  bliss- 
ful consciousness  of  purity  bestowed  by  that  other 
woman,  whom  I  loved  with  my  whole  soul,  and 
whom  I  can  never  forget,  though  Brand  were  right 
a  thousand  times  over  in  saying  that  she  trifled 
with  me — that  she  never  loved  me.  Marie  up- 
lifted me,  opened  a  new  life  before  me,  and 
when  the  waves  again  surged  around,  striving 
to  drag  me  down  to  the  abyss  of  ruin,  she  piti- 
lessly let  me  sink.  I  once  deserted  you,  Heloise, 
because  I  was  struggling  upward  to  a  height  which 
I  was  never  to  attain.     I  wrenched  my  passion  for 


The  Opposite  House.  141 


you  from  my  heart  because  I  thought  myself  too 
good  for  such  a  love ;  and  now  I  return,  pleading 
once  more  for  this  forfeited  happiness  in  the  dust 
before  you.     Can  you  deny  me  ?" 

He  had  knelt  on  one  knee,  and  with  his  handsome 
head  bowed  awaited  her  reply.  And  Heloise  bent 
toward  him,  but  the  glance  fixed  upon  him  was  that 
of  an  adder,  and  the  voice  sounded  cold  and  heart- 
less as  it  hissed  in  reply  : 

"  Once  !  Do  you  remind  me  of  those  days,  Gerrald  ? 
Very  well,  then  ;  I,  too,  will  recall  the  past  to  you. 
You  wounded  me  to  the  very  depths  of  my  soul, 
scorned  me,  trampled  my  love  under  foot ;  but  I 
swore  a  terrible  oath  that  I  would  have  my  revenge 
upon  you  for  that  hour  !  At  that  time  /knelt  before 
you.  I  also  pleaded  for  pity  ;  you  might  have  saved 
me,  rescued  me  from  the  boards  of  the  stage,  but 
you  heartlessly  thrust  me  back,  condemning  the 
dancer  to  the  dust  of  the  world,  while  you  were  to 
soar  upward,  high  into  the  radiant  ether,  where  such 
wretched  worms  as  I  need  no  longer  be  seen.  Fool 
that  you  were  !  You  held  before  my  eyes  a  talis- 
man, saying  :  '  This  arms  me  against  you  !'  And  I 
swore  by  the  salvation  of  my  soul  that  you  should 
atone  for  those  words,  if  there  were  any  such  thing 
as  justice  in  the  world.  You  should  lie  in  the  dust 
before  me,  as  I  did  then  before  you  ;  you  should  sue 
for  the  love  you  disdained,  as  a  dying  man  pleads 


142  The  Opposite  House. 

for  life.  That  hour  has  now  come,  and  I,  too,  hold 
my  talisman  before  your  eyes.  Do  you  know  this, 
Gerrald  ?"  She  raised  her  hand  with  savage  exul- 
tation ;  the  moonlight  shone  upon  a  dull  gold  case 
and  a  rose-wood  cross.  "  Do  you  know  it,  Gerrald? 
The  white  flower  which  your  Gretchen  probably  wore 
in  her  hair  ?  Without  this  blossom  you  will  be  a 
miserable,  perjured  man.  And  now  rejoice,  demon 
of  vengeance — now  I  condemn  you  !" 

Traugott  had  started  up,  with  a  sudden  cry  of 
alarm,  but  she  had  already  flung  the  jewel  far  out 
into  the  lake.  The  water  dashed  upward,  then  all 
was  still. 

"  Now  look  for  it,  my  friend!"  she  said,  with  a 
scornful  laugh.  "  I  am  avenged,  and  my  mission  is 
accomplished.  Give  your  love  to  your  baroness.  I 
now  stand  before  you  for  the  last  time.  You  treated 
me  harshly,  inflicted  bitter  pain,  but  my  dagger  deals 
incurable  wounds.     Live  on,  and  remember  me  !" 

Slipping  past  him  with  the  speed  of  thought,  she 
rushed  back  along  the  path,  flitting  noiselessly 
through  the  moonlight  in  her  glittering  dress  like  a 
spirit  of  evil. 

Traugott  stood  rigid  and  motionless  as  a  statue. 
A  soft  hand  was  laid  on  his  shoulder,  and  be  looked 
up  with  a  startled  glance. 

"  Marie  !"  fell  in  tremulous  accents  from  his  lips. 
"  Marie?" 


The  Opposite  House.  143 

She  stood  before  him  in  her  pure,  bright  beauty, 
her  eyes  resting  gently,  yet  mournfully,  on  his  face. 

"  Traugott !"  she  said,  softly ;  and  the  young  man, 
as  if  utterly  crushed,  sank  down  on  the  bench,  cov- 
ered his  face  with  his  hands  and  groaned  aloud. 

The  words  she  addressed  to  him  were  earnest  and 
touching;  they  fell  like  refreshing  dew  upon  his 
darkened  soul ;  but  he  did  not  once  look  up  at  her 
until  she  paused.  Then,  raising  his  pale  face,  he 
murmured  : 

"  I  am  superstitious.  That  flower  is  lying  deep 
in  the  lake,  and  I  cannot  be  happy  without  it.  But 
I  will  seek  for  my  white  blossom,  though  I  should 
descend  into  a  watery  grave." 

He  rose  slowly,  but  Marie  anxiously  stepped  be- 
fore him  and,  in  an  agony  of  dread,  threw  her  arms 
around  his  neck. 

"  No,  I  will  not  let  you  go  to  that  flower !" 

Gerrald  bent  his  head  and  gazed  with  joyful  com- 
prehension into  her  tearful  eyes. 

"  Do  you  love  me,  then,  Marie?" 

"  Yes,  I  love  you,  Traugott,"  she  whispered,  in 
half -stifled  tones,  "  and  therefore  I  must  guard 
your  life,  that  you  may  not  destroy  it  with  a  blas- 
phemous hand.  Your  mother  took  your  legacy 
from  you,  because  you  were  no  longer  worthy  of  it, 
but  she  left  open  to  you  the  path  which  leads  upward 
through  expiation  to  the  grave.    If  it  is  Heaven's 


144  1^^^  Opposite  House. 

will  that  you  should  die,  it  will  send  to  your  heart 
the  bullet  destined,  not  for  the  criminal,  but  the 
defender  of  Germany.  France  has  declared  war. 
Serve  your  native  land,  and  if  the  wrath  of  God  de- 
mands your  life,  at  least  yield  it  on  the  field  of 
honor." 

"  Marie,"  said  Traugott,  softly  pressing  her  hand 
to  his  lips,  "  may  Heaven  bless  you  for  these  words  ! 
You  have  restored  me  the  hope,  the  consolation  of 
at  least  dying  an  honorable  death,  and  if  I  offer  my 
breast  to  the  enemy's  artillery,  there  will  surely  be  a 
compassionate  bullet  which  will  grant  a  guiltless 
grave  to  the  perjured — " 

Tears  were  streaming  down  Marie's  cheeks,  as  she 
leaned  her  head  on  his  breast  and  bade  him  fare- 
well. It  was  a  sorrowful  betrothal,  and  a  still  sad- 
der parting.  She  clasped  her  lover's  hands  in 
benediction,  but  Traugott  pressed  his  lips  on  her 
pure  brow,  and  bade  her  an  eternal  farewell. 

Meanwhile,  tumultuous  excitement  pervaded  the 
halls  of  the  Kurhaus — the  dispatch,  which  brought 
the  news  of  the  declaration  of  war  by  France  as  a 
terrible  fact,  was  being  read  aloud. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

BY    LAW    OF     MIGHT 

Doctor  Brand  must  have  had  some  unpleasant 
experience.  He  was  hurrying,  with  a  very  gloomy 
expression,  through  the  streets  in  the  direction  of 
Heloise's  lodgings.  On  arriving  he  rushed  up  the 
stairs,  and  did  not  even  consider  it  necessary  to 
wait  to  be  announced,  but  barely  pausing  to  knock, 
entered. 

Heloise  raised  her  head  and  looked  at  him  in 
astonishment.  She  was  kneeling  on  the  floor  before 
her  trunk,  rummaging  among  the  heap  of  articles 
which  Susanne  had  piled  around  her ;  closets  and 
drawers,  partly  cleared  of  their  contents,  stood 
open. 

The  dancer  threw  down  her  embroidered  negligee 
jacket  and  let  her  hands  rest  a  moment. 

"  Mon  Dicn  !  Brand,  how  long  has  it  been  the  cus- 
tom to  bounce  in  after  this  fashion  ?" 

The  visitor  did  not  answer  immediately  ;  he  was 

[145] 


146  The  Opposite  House. 

gazing  with  an  angry  frown  at  this  chaos  of  boxes 
and  bundles,  and   ended  by  giving  the  tall  wicker 
trunk  a  contemptuous  kick. 
"  What  does  all  this  mean,  Heloise,  if  I  may  ask?" 
The  dancer  folded  her  arms  defiantly,  and  gazed 
at  him  with  a  contemptuous  shrug  of  the  shoulders. 
"  How  long  have  you  controlled  my  plans,  if  / 
tnay  ask?     I   should  think   you  might  request  in- 
formation  courteously,   instead    of    putting    your 
questions   with  German   bluntness.     You   are   not 
addressing  one  of  your  minions." 
Brand  stamped  angrily  on  the  floor. 
"So  you  mean  to  leave  here,"  he  said,  grinding 
his  teeth.     "  Perhaps  I  may  have  a  word  or  two  to 
Bay  about  it.     But  first  tell  me  what  happened  to 
Gerrald  yesterday  ?  I  must  suppose  that  you  parted 
in  anger." 

"  In  anger  ?  Oh,  no,  with  all  possible  ceremony  and 
courtesy  !"  she  answered,  in  a  mocking  tone,  with- 
out looking  up  from  her  work.  "  Poor  Gerrald 
scraped  his  knee  sore  before  me,  and  raved  about 
the  past ;  then  I  ventured  to  refresh  his  memory  a 
little,  and  told  him  a  short,  delightful  story  about 
those  old  times,  and,  being  now  a  thorough  gour- 
mand, I  tasted  his  heart's  blood  drop  by  drop. 
When  I  took  leave,  I  dealt  a  death-blow.  We  were 
once  such  good  friends,  so  I  rendered  a  friendly 
service.     I  took  care  that  the  ugly  gold  case  should 


The  Opposite  House.  147 

no  longer  weigh  upon  his  heart,  and  flung  it  into 
the  lake  near  the  Kurhaus.  So  you  see  that  I  have  no 
further  interest  inGerrald.  I  am  avenged,  and  this 
ends  our  compact,  old  friend.  Your  other  plans 
have  little  to  do  with  me.  I  would  have  helped  you 
willingly  had  I  known  them,  but  it  is  too  late  now. 
You  see  for  yourself  that  our  paths  separate  from 
this  day." 

"  Separate  ?"  cried  Brand,  in  a  terrible  voice,  his 
eyes  fairly  devouring  her  slender  figure,  leaning  so 
lightly  against  the  table,  its  graceful  outlines 
scarcely  concealed  by  the  folds  of  thin  muslin. 
"  Remember  your  promise,  '  Pledge  for  pledge.* 
Now  I  demand  my  payment,  comrade  !" 

Heloise  had  turned  pale.  She  involuntarily  drew 
back  a  step  and  clasped  her  hands. 

"The  times  have  changed,"  she  said  proudly,  half 
averting  her  head,  so  that  her  delicate  profile  stood 
forth  in  strong  relief  against  the  window.  "  I  am  a 
Frenchwoman,  you  are  a  German  ;  our  nations  have 
declared  war  against  each  other,  and  should  I  trade 
with  an  enemy  of  my  own  nation  ?  Never  !  Here, 
Brand,  take  these  gems  ;  they  are  a  royal  reward  for 
the  service  you  have  rendered  me."  She  unclasped 
the  bracelet  from  her  pink  wrist  and  held  out  the 
glittering  ornament. 

Brand  approached  in  great  excitement. 

"  Do  you  really  expect  to  buy  my  claim  on  you 


148  The  Opposite  House. 

with  this  miserable  tinsel  ?  Do  you  really  believe 
that  for  this  trash  I  would  resign  the  hand  prom- 
ised to  me  ?  You  are  mine,  Heloise,  and  woe  betide 
us  both  if  you  do  not  keep  your  pledge  !"  Snatch- 
ing the  bracelet  from  her  hand,  he  hurled  it  vio- 
lently on  the  floor  ;  his  fingers  clutched  her  rounded 
arm  with  an  iron  grasp,  drawing  her  passionately 
to  his  breast ;  his  hot  breath  fanned  her  cheek  as  he 
covered  her  lips  with  kisses. 

"  Brand  !"  she  shrieked,  struggling  to  release  her- 
self. "  Hear  me,  Brand.  I  will  offer  much  for  my 
liberty.  I  do  not  love  you,  you  monster,  and  I 
would  make  your  life  a  very  hell  of  torture,  if  you 
tried  to  bind  me  to  your  side.  I  should  poison  you 
with  my  breath,  slay  you  with  my  kiss,  drain  your 
life  like  a  vampire." 

"  You  do  not  love  me  ?"  said  Brand,  coldly  draw- 
ing back.  His  momentary  intoxication  had  passed 
away,  and  his  calculating  mind  warned  him  to  avail 
himself  of  the  favorable  moment.  "  Well,  then,  I 
do  not  desire  a  wife  who  does  not  love  me.  But  lis- 
ten, Heloise.  I  am  now  no  longer  the  man  who,  with 
ardent  passion,  sues  for  your  love.  I  am  the  usurer 
who  demands  his  compensation,  and  who  will  not 
leave  the  spot  until  he  has  the  entire  sum  in  his 
hands.  What  will  you  pay  me  for  your  torn 
note  ?" 

He  stationed  himself  at  the  bell-rope  and,  with 


The  Opposite  Ho7Lse.  149 

threatening  arm,  barred  the  way  to  the  door.  She 
saw  that  she  was  in  his  power,  and  the  conscious- 
ness of  her  helplessness  made  her  limbs  tremble 
till  she  felt  like  a  frightened  child. 

"  Here — my  necklace,  my  cross,  ten  thousand 
thaler s  in  money — " 

"  Nothing  more  ?"  he  asked,  laughing. 

"  I  have  no  more  !"  she  groaned,  wildly. 

"  Indeed  !  It  is  well  to  have  a  little  information. 
For  instance,  where  is  the  pretty  casket  in  which 
the  white  stones  sparkle  ?  Show  it  to  me  again,  my 
angel.     I  have  a  great  desire  to  see  them." 

The  dancer's  hand  clenched  in  terrible  fury  ;  she 
longed  to  rush  upon  the  scoundrel  and  kill  him ; 
then  a  bright  idea  entered  her  head. 

"  Brand,  I  will  be  your  wife." 

"  Really  ?"  he  asked,  in  a  mocking  tone,  with  a 
low  bow.  "  You  do  me  too  much  honor,  my  gra- 
cious lady.  More  than  I  can  possibly  accept  after 
being  favored  with  a  rejection.  So  the  diamonds, 
mademoiselle  ?" 

Heloise  saw  no  escape.  She  still  stood  hesitating. 
Despair  seized  upon  her,  but  his  mysterious  eye 
warned  her  by  its  savage  menace,  and,  tottering  to 
the  bureau,  she  brought  out  the  costly  ornaments. 
Placing  the  casket  on  the  table,  she  raised  the  vel- 
vet-lined lid,  scattering  the  gems  over  the  mahogany 
top  with  reckless  haste  ;  and  the  sun  shone  through 


150  The   Opposite  House. 

the  window,  making  lightning  flashes  of  color  dart 
around  her  trembling  fingers. 

"  Is  this  enough  to  buy  a  soul  from  Satan  ?"  she 
asked,  in  an  expressionless  voice. 

"  It  will  do  tolerably  well,"  replied  Brand,  with  a 
nod,  as  he  let  the  gems  slip  separately  through  his 
fingers,  and  then  flung  them  back  into  the  casket. 
"  One  thing  more,  however,  ma  belle,''  he  pleaded, 
with  a  mocking  assumption  of  gallantry.  "  Might 
I  ask  for  a  little  dedication  ?  Here  are  pens  and 
paper.  I  will  dictate  only  a  few  words.  Write, 
mademoiselle  ;  I  am  in  a  hurry." 

Heloise  calmly  took  the  pen — everything  was  now 
a  matter  of  indifference  to  her — a  fragment  of  her 
heart  seemed  to  have  been  wrenched  out  with  the 
gems. 

Brand  slowly  repeated  the  form  of  words,  and  she 
wrote  that  she  gave  him  the  diamonds  as  property 
legally  acquired  by  purchase.  Then  she  added  her 
name,  and  Brand  even  pressed  her  seal  beneath  it 
for  security. 

"  Everything  must  be  in  due  form,"  he  said,  de- 
risively. Then  he  read  the  lines  once  more  and 
folded  the  paper.  *'  What  do  you  intend  to  do  now, 
my  dearest  ?" 

"  I  shall  go  back  to  my  native  land,  and  hope  to 
return  shortly  with  my  victorious  brothers  to  re- 
cover my  jewels." 


The  Opposite  House. 


151 


"  Very  hopeful !"  he  cried,  laughing.  "  Well,  I 
wish  you  good  luck  on  the  journey,  as  well  as  in 
everything  else.  We  have  been  good  friends  so 
long,  were  even  engaged  to  be  married,  so  I  hope 
we  shall  not  soon  forget  each  other.  I  have  done 
my  utmost  to  aid  you  to  fulfill  a  wish,  and  think  you 
will  perceive  that  you  ought  to  '  do  as  you  are  done 
by.'     All  rcvoirf" 

He  took  the  casket  under  his  arm  and  seized  his 
hat.  A  low,  sarcastic  bow,  and  the  door  banged 
loudly  behind  him. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE   HOUR   OF   PARTING. 

War  had  been  declared.  Bodies  of  troops  were 
constantly  passing  through  Wiesbaden.  The  peace- 
ful watering-place  resembled  a  camp,  and  patriotic 
enthusiasm  had  reached  its  height. 

Traugott  Gerrald  willingly  obeyed  the  order 
which  summoned  him  to  his  regiment.  He  was  to 
leave  in  the  evening.  The  parting  was  difficult  ; 
but  he  now  saw  a  goal — a  lofty  purpose  in  life  for 
which  he  could  struggle — a  flood  in  whose  waves  he 
might  drown  his  sorrows  forever. 

Marie  von  Rotterswyl  had  been  greatly  agitated 
by  the  news  of  Gerrald's  departure.  The  confidant 
of  her  love  affair,  her  uncle  Franz,  whose  invalid 
condition  would  not  permit  him  to  take  any  share 
in  the  conflict  with  the  enemy  of  his  country,  had 
brought  the  tidings.  But  Uncle  Franz  had  again 
won  her  warmest  gratitude.  He  had  rowed  out  in 
a  little  boat  on  the  Kurhaus  lake,  and  at  last  suc- 

[152] 


The  Opposite  House.  153 

ceeded,  to  Marie's  intense  delight,  in  finding  the 
golden  case — Gerrald's  "talisman."     It  had  caught 
among  the  water-plants,  and  he  had  thus  been  able . 
to  restore  to  Marie  her  lover's  treasure. 

"  I  must  see  him  to  give  him  back  the  case,"  the 
young  girl  entreated. 

"  Already?  I  would  not  do  that  until  his  return," 
said  Franz. 

"  And  suppose  he  should  never  return  ?"  she  ex- 
claimed, gazing  mournfully  "nto  his  eyes.  "No, 
uncle,  he  must  take  his  talisman  with  him  when  he 
goes  to  the  war.  I  have  thought  of  everything,  and 
if  it  is  God's  will,  have  chosen  the  right  course. 
Where  do  you  think  I  can  see  him  ?" 

"  There  will  be  no  time  at  the  railway  station," 
said  Mr.  Kartegg,  thoughtfully.  "  The  best  plan 
would  probabl)'-  be  for  me  to  g-o  to  him.  He  just 
asked  if  he  might  see  you  once  more.  I  dissuaded 
him  on  your  mother's  account.  The  poor  woman  is 
too  excited  to  be  able  to  control  herself." 

"  But  I  can't  take  leave  of  him  in  the  public 
street,"  said  Marie. 

"Yes,  you  are  right  there,  my  child.  H'm  !  What 
if  I  should  take  you  to  the  drawing-room  in  the 
hotel.  If  your  uncle  is  with  you,  you  can  receive 
him  without  hesitation." 

A  few  minutes  later  Marie  was  standing  with  a 
throbbing  heart  in  the  large  drawing-room  of  the 


154  T^^^^  Opposite  House. 

libtel,  gazing  around  her  at  the  long  mirrors,  which 
reflected  her  image  so  many  times  that  she  had  un- 
consciously paused  and  pushed  the  waving  hair 
back  from  her  brow.  A  faint  flush  tinged  her 
cheeks,  and  the  black  veil  framed  her  face  like 
gauze  intended  to  relieve  the  dazzling  hue  of  marble. 
The  girlish  figure  in  the  black  wool  dress  was  very 
earnest  and  grave  of  aspect. 

Hasty  steps  hurried  through  the  ante-room. 
Marie  started,  pressing  her  hand  upon  her  heart. 
He  was  coming — and  now  the  door  was  pushed  open 
and  Traugott  stood  before  her,  breathless  from  his 
rapid  walk. 

"  Marie  !"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  trembling  with 
joy.  "  How  I  thank  you  for  giving  me  an  oppor- 
tunity to  say  farewell !" 

He  held  out  both  hands  and  gazed  into  her  eyes 
with  a  look  of  radiant  happiness. 

"  I  could  not  let  3^ou  go  without  a  parting  word," 
whispered  the  young  girl  with  downcast  eyes.  "  I 
struggled  with  myself  a  long  time,  but  was  forced 
to  give  you  this  last  hour  to  soothe  my  heart  and 
conscience." 

"  What  a  blessing  this  last  hour  will  contain,"  he 
said,  softly.  "  What  a  consolation  it  will  bring  dur- 
ing all  the  sorrowful  ones  which  must  yet  be  en- 
dured !  Now  that  I  know  you  have  really  forgiven 
in6  I  can  go  forth  to  meet  my  fate  with  a  lighter 


The  Opposite  House.  153 

heart.  Now  the  bullet  which  has  chosen  my  breast 
for  its  goal  will  have  no  more  terrors,  and  if  I  must 
die,  it  will  be  with  the  sweet  consciousness  that  no 
living-  soul  harbors  resentment  against  me.  Will 
you  bear  me  in  remembrance,  Marie  ?  Will  you 
include  me  also  in  your  prayers  when  you  implore 
mercy  for  all  who  have  sinned  ?" 

An  infinite  anguish  thrilled  her  ;  dread  for  the 
heart  that  loved  her  so  tenderly.  With  a  sudden 
impulse,  she  held  out  her  hand  and  raised  her  tear- 
ful eyes  to  his. 

"  Yes,  I  will  pray  day  and  night !"  she  said, 
faintly.  "  Not  for  the  dead.  My  petitions  will  be 
that  God  may  guard  the  living  man,  for  my  sake  I' 
Then,  with  a  trembling  hand,  she  drew  from  her 
pocket  a  small  sealed  package,  tied  with  a  white 
ribbon,  on  which  were  embroidered  in  blue  silk  the 
words  :  "  God  guard  you."  "  There  was  another 
reason  for  my  coming,"  she  said,  in  an  unsteady 
voice.  "  I  have  a  new  talisman,  a  memento  for  you, 
with  the  request  that  you  will  accept  it  from  me. 
But  before  I  give  it  to  you,  you  must  promise  me 
something." 

Gerrald  looked  at  her  inquiringly ;  a  sorrowful 
expression  hovered  around  his  lips. 

"  It  is  granted,"  he  said,  in  a  low  tone. 

Marie  hesitated  a  moment ;  her  cheeks  crimsoned 
and  she  seemed  deeply  embarrassed ;   then,  rais- 


156  The  Opposite  House. 

ing  her  eyes  with  an  earnest  look,  she  said,  sol- 
emnly : 

"  Promise  not  to  break  this  seal,  Traugott,  unless 
it  is  God's  will  that  you  should  be  severely  wounded, 
so  severely  that — that  there  would  scarcely  be  a 
hope  of  recovery.  Then  you  may  break  it — not 
before." 

She  had  scarcely  been  able  to  utter  the  last  words  ; 
her  heart  was  beating  so  that  it  almost  stifled  her, 
and  the  thought  of  the  possibility  that  he  might 
open  it  with  fingers  stiffening  in  the  death-chill 
almost  made  her  senses  fail.  But  she  controlled 
herself.  She  knew  that  she  ought  not  to  make  the 
parting  hard  for  him,  and,  with  a  touching  smile, 
held  out  her  hand. 

"  I  promise !"  he  said,  earnestly,  clasping  it 
closely. 

Then  Marie  fastened  the  ribbon  round  his  neck, 
and  he  hid  the  memento  in  his  breast,  kissing  the 
ribbon  and  the  hand  which  bestowed  it,  while  the 
young  girl  whispered,  amid  her  tears  : 

"  God  guard  you  !" 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

A    BOTTLE    OF    TOKAY. 

After  Brand  had  gone  and  Heloise,  wringing  her 
hands,  had  convinced  herself  that  the  diamonds  had 
actually  vanished  forever,  bitterness  and  resent- 
ment raged  with  terrible  fury  in  her  heart  against 
the  tool  by  whose  aid  she  had  just  satiated  her 
vengeance  on  another.  Pacing  swiftly  up  and  down 
the  room  like  the  incarnation  of  hate,  she  brooded 
over  vengeance,  and  tried  to  devise  plans  for  most 
swiftly  and  surely  regaining  her  lost  treasure. 

Wild  thoughts  darted  through  her  brain,  nearly 
all  fantastic  and  impracticable  ;  one  alone  she  did 
not  reject,  and  pondered  over  the  explanation. 
What  was  the  secret  between  him  and  old  Baroness 
von  Rotterswyl  ?  Wikke  had  given  various  vague 
hints  that  Brand  was  forced  to  be  on  the  watch  for 
spies ;  he  had  talked  of  a  time  in  the  past  of  which 
he  did  not  like  to  think.  What  was  the  chapter  in 
his  life  that  he  was  forced  to  fear  ? 

The  dancer  stamped  impatiently  on   the   floor. 

[157] 


158  The  Opposite  House. 

She  must  get  out  of  doors,  and  had  already  seized 
her  lace  shawl  and  sunshade  to  prepare  to  go  into 
the  open  air,  when  some  one  knocked  at  the  door, 
and,  to  her  great  astonishment,  Wikke  appeared 
on  the  threshold, 

Heloise  glanced  angrily  at  him,  but  this  melan- 
choly-looking fellow  could  not  possibly  have  heard 
of  Brand's  rascally  trick,  and  the  sorrowful  glance 
with  which  he  scanned  the  trunks  and  boxes  had 
evidently  not  yet  seen  the  flash  of  the  diamonds, 
which  his  friend  had  doubtless  carefully  kept  out  of 
sight  to  turn  into  cash  privately.  This  conciliated 
her,  and  put  into  her  head  a  new  idea,  which  she  re- 
solved to  execute. 

"  Herr  Wikke,"  she  asked,  approaching  him, 
"  how  do  I  happen  to  have  the  honor  of  your  visit 
with  the  mercury  standing  at  eighty-six  in  the  ther- 
mometer ?" 

"  I  've  just  met  Brand,"  he  answered  in  a  troubled 
tone,  "  and  learned  from  him  that  you  were  going 
away,  mademoiselle.  1  couldn't  believe  it,  and  was 
obliged  to  convince  myself  in  person  whether  the 
bad  news  could  be  trusted." 

"  That  is  very  charming  of  you,"  said  Heloise, 
kindly,  "  and  I  rejoice  to  be  able  to  assure  you  that 
I  shall,  perhaps,  remain  several  days  longer.  It  de- 
pends entirely  upon  my  own  whim,  and  whether 
my  friends  make  my  stay  here  agreeable.     But  sit 


I 


The  Opposite  House.  159 

down,  mon  ami,  and  spend  a  few  hours  pleasantly 
witli  me.  It  is  very  warm  to-day,  and  one  needs  re- 
freshment." 

She  smiled  most  winningly  and  held  out  her  hand. 
Wikke  suddenly  felt  much  warmer  than  he  had 
outside  in  the  sun,  and  protested,  with  almost  blun- 
dering haste,  that  he  should  consider  it  an  honor  to 
bear  his  beautiful  friend  company.  His  time  was 
entirely  his  own  until  eight  o'clock  ;  then,  of  course, 
he  would  be  engaged. 

Wikke  had  associated  little  with  elegant  women ; 
with  coquettish  queens  of  the  stage  probably  not  at 
all ;  so  the  dancer's  charming  manner  fascinated  him 
the  more  as,  with  easy  familiarity,  she  leaned  near 
his  chair,  gazing  at  him  with  mischievous  eyes. 

Heloise  could  be  bewitching  when  she  chose,  and 
now  she  exerted  all  her  arts  to  bind  her  companion 
with  the  fetters  in  which  even  crowned  heads  had 
languished. 

She  had  long  since  discovered  that  he  was  not  one 
of  the  favored  children  of  Intellect,  but  merely  a 
cunning  sharper,  who  knew  his  trade  very  well,  but 
in  the  presence  of  this  alluring  woman  was  like  a  raw 
youth,  scarcely  able  to  move  his  limbs.  She  had 
noticed  that  Brand  had  said  nothing  about  the 
diamonds,  because  their  value  would  be  greater  if 
not  divided,  and  she  also  knew  that  Wikke  was 
familiar  with  the  assessor's  youthful  experiences. 


i6o  The  Opposite  House. 

Her  plan  was  matured.  One  friend  should  throw 
around  the  other's  feet  the  snare  which  she  only 
needed  to  draw  to  bring  the  victim  into  the  trap. 
In  the  opposite  cupboard  stood  a  bottle  with  a  slen- 
der neck.  The  dancer  brought  it  to  the  table  and 
let  the  sparkling  drops  flow  into  the  glasses.  It  was 
Tokay,  which  makes  the  blood  flow  more  swiftly 
through  the  veins. 

Wikke  was  fond  of  good  wine,  though  he  could 
not  bear  much.  Now,  when  Heloise  pledged  him, 
and  he  could  drink  from  the  same  spot  which  her 
red  lips  had  just  touched,  he  raised  the  cup  with 
twofold  joy  to  drain  it  to  the  dregs. 

Heloise  had  drawn  the  curtain  aside  ;  the  crim- 
son rays  of  the  setting  sun  cast  glittering  reflections 
on  her  slender  figure.  Resting  her  head  on  her 
hand,  she  gazed  steadily  at  him,  constantly  urging 
him  to  drink,  and  when  he  would  not  do  so  alone 
she  touched  glasses  with  him. 

"Brand  has  just  been  here,"  she  said  ;  "but  I  am 
very  angry  with  him,  and  he  is  the  sole  cause  of 
my  departure.     Did  he  tell  you  nothing  about  it  ?" 

"  Not  one  single  word !"  protested  Wikke,  passing 
his  handkerchief  several  times  across  his  brow.  "  You 
are  angry  with  him,  mademoiselle  ;  may  I  ask  why  ?" 

The  Frenchwoman  sipped  a  little  wine  from  her 
glass,  then  carelessly  raised  it  and  pledged  him. 

"Why  shouldn't   I   tell   you?      It   was   about    a 


The  Opposite  House.  i6i 

Madam  von  Rotterswyl.  You  probably  know  noth, 
ing  concerning  the  matter." 

"  Rotterswyl?"  interrupted  Wikke,  with  a  stupid 
glan«e.     "  Oho,  what  about  it  ?" 

"  He  told  me  that  he  had  known  her,  had  made 
the  acquaintance  in  a  very  unpleasant  way.  But 
drink  another  glass,  Herr  Wikke,  I  have  more  wine 
in  the  cupboard." 

"  Unpleasant  ?  Ha,  ha,  ha  !"  laughed  her  com- 
panion, with  a  cunning  twinkle  in  his  eyes.  "  Does 
he  consider  such  things  unpleasant?  Unpleasant ! 
Ha,  ha,  ha  ! — and  did  he  tell  you  nothing  more  ?" 

"  He  put  me  off  till  another  time,  when  he  would 
tell  me  the  whole  story,"  said  the  Frenchwoman, 
with  a  keen  glance  at  his  glassy  eyes.  "  But  no,  I 
don't  want  '  another  time,'  and  I  shall  stick  to  my 
determination  to  leave  to-morrow." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha !  Don't  do  that,  my  angel !"  said 
Wikke,  with  a  loud  laugh.  "  There  's  a  tale  con- 
nected with  the  old  witch  ;  but  it 's  a  confoundedly 
ticklish  business,  and  whether  I  can  venture  to 
speak  of  it — " 

"  Well  ?  Wasn't  I  right  in  thinking  that  you  are 
not  a  whit  better  than  your  friend  Brand?"  cried 
Heloise,  with  feigned  indignation.  "I'll  ring  for 
my  maid  at  once,  that  my  trunks  may  be  packed." 

Wikke  held  her  arm. 

"  What  a  hot-headed  little  rogue,"  he  said,  jest- 


1 62  The  Opposite  House. 

ingly,  his  voice  husky  from  the  wine.  "  Wait, 
sweetheart,  and  try  whether  I  '11  tell.  I  assure  you 
that  you  never  heard  anything  quite  so  base.  Yes, 
Brand  is  a  rascally  fellow,  but  we  must  laugh  at  it, 
for  no  head  so  clever  will  deck  the  gallows.  And 
he  's  nearly  ready  for  them.     Ha,  ha,  ha !" 

"  And  the  story?"  said  Heloise,  forcing  herself  to 
endure  his  presence. 

"  Yes,  the  story,"  stammered  Wikke,  raising  the 
glass  again  to  his  lips.  "  The  story  was  a  good  one. 
Baroness  von  Rotterswyl,  the  black  ghost  with  the 
pretty  daughter,  was  young  once  herself,  and  said 
to  have  been  as  beautiful  as  the  girl  who  is  wor- 
shiped by  the  handsome  Prince  of  the  Mill.  You 
probably  know  about  that,  eh  ?  Yes,  yes  !  She  was 
visiting  a  friend  in  some  owl's  nest  of  a  castle.  I  've 
forgotten  the  name.  And  this  friend  was  betrothed 
to  our  Doctor  Brand  ;  but  he  wasn't  known  by  that 
name  then — no,  indeed  ;  he  called  himself  '  Herr 
Count.'  Moreover,  he  had  lived  in  Stuttgart  as 
though  he  had  the  wealth  of  the  Indies  at  his  dis- 
posal. Where  he  got  his  ducats  Beelzebub  could 
tell  better  than  I.  Old  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl 
loved  the  brother  of  this  fortunate  fiancee,  a  young 
dandy,  named  Lewin,  if  my  memory  serves  me. 
But  one  day  the  bomb  burst.  Brand  took  a  fancy 
to  the  beautiful  diamonds  of  his  future — " 

"  Aha  !"  said  Heloise. 


The  Opposite  House.  i6 


J 


"  And  absconded  with  the  jewels  and  ready 
money.  The  aforesaid  Lewin  met  him  in  the  forest 
and  stopped  him.  The  fellow  had  keen  eyes,  and 
recognized  the  masked  count  ;  but  the  latter,  too, 
was  no  fool,  thought  '  dead  men  tell  no  tales,'  drew 
a  pistol,  shot  his  beloved  brother-in-law  and  made 
tracks  as  fast  as  possible.  Ah  !  But  Frau  von  Rot- 
terswyl  is  said  to  have  spit  fire  and  flame  and  given 
the  alarm  to  the  authorities,  who  fairly  tumbled  over 
one  another.  But  it  was  no  use  ;  all  the  clever  gen- 
try were  forced  to  give  up  the  chase  ;  the  count 
fooled  them.  That  was  nearly  twenty  years  ago. 
Brand  is  tolerably  well  along  in  life,  but  he  paints 
and  dyes  in  order  to  pass  for  thirty.  The  whole 
affair  has  been  forgotten  long  ago,  and  is  probably 
outlawed.  The  fellow  even  had  the  insolence  to 
call  upon  Madam  von  Rotterswyl.  But  it  seems  to 
me  that  she  must  have  smelled  a  rat.  At  any  rate, 
Brand  feels  a  strong  inclination  to  become  a  citizen 
of  America.  There,  that 's  the  whole  story !"' 
Wikke  drew  a  long-  breath  and  gazed  around  him 
with  dazed  eyes.  He  had  spoken  in  a  loud,  excited 
tone.  Now  his  heavy  tongue  almost  refused  to  obey 
his  will.  "  I  can't  help  laughing  when  I  think  of 
the  rascally  trick.  An  utterly  worthless  fellow  ;  but 
he  has  brains — brains  which  can't  be  matched,  and 
— you  see,  sweetheart —  Where  is  my  glass  ?  Fill 
it,  little  one,  to  the  very  brim." 


164  The  Opposite  House. 

He  groped  over  the  table  with  an  unsteady  hand, 
and  his  trembling  fingers  poured  the  last  drops  from 
the  bottle.  A  broad  red  stream  stained  the  white 
table-cloth,  and  he  dropped  heavily  back  into  his 
chair.  His  red  head,  with  its  glazed  eyes,  sank  on 
his  breast,  his  hoarse  laugh  became  an  unintelligible 
gurgle,  and  soon  deep,  rattling  breathing  announced 
that  friend  Wikke  had  gone  to  dreamland. 

Heloise  gazed  at  the  sleeper  a  moment  with  loath- 
ing. Then  hastily  approaching  him,  her  trembling 
hands  searched  his  breast-pocket.  Yes — a  letter- 
case.  Heloise  seized  it  with  sparkling  eyes,  and 
examined  the  contents.  A  low  cry  of  delight,  and 
she  began  to  scrutinize  notes,  letters  and  memo- 
randa. This  lasted  long  enough  to  give  the  sleeper 
the  rest  he  needed.  Then  she  rose,  locked  the 
precious  pocketbook  and  its  contents  in  her  writing- 
desk,  went  up  to  the  drunken  man  and  shook 
him. 

"  Herr  Wikke  !"  she  shrieked  into  his  ear.  "  Herr 
Wikke !" 

He  started  and  gazed  around  him  with  a  stupid 
stare,  then  passed  his  hand  across  his  brow  and 
pondered. 

"  Surely  I  haven't  been  asleep,  mademoiselle  ?"  he 
stammered  in  an  embarrassed  tone. 

"You  have  been  nodding  a  little,"  she  said,  smil- 
ing pleasantly.    "  It  was  excusable  in  the  sultry  at- 


The  Opposite  Hotise.  165 

mosphere  and  with  the  strong  wine.     I  was  to  blame 
for  not  giving  you  a  lighter  drink," 

"■  Oh,  I  shall  never  forgive  myself,"  he  said  con- 
fusedly, trying  to  stagger  to  his  feet.  She  waved 
her  hand  to  check  him,  and  brought  a  glass  of  water 
from  a  side-table. 

"  Take  a  sip ;  you  will  feel  better." 

He  hastily  emptied  the  glass. 

"  Oh,  how  my  head  aches !"  he  groaned. 

"  Would  you  like  to  cool  your  face  a  little  ?"  she 
asked,  sympathizingly.  "  I  '11  get  some  fresh  water." 
She  went  to  the  next  room  and  filled  a  basin,  then 
brought  it  in  with  a  towel.  "  Don't  trouble  your- 
self, Herr  Wikke,"  she  said,  gayly.  "  One  good  friend 
must  help  another." 

The  gray-haired  man  poured  forth  a  flood  of 
thanks,  and  Heloise  went  into  the  next  room  to 
listen,  with  an  ironical  smile,  as  the  "  good  friend  " 
dipped  his  red  head  into  the  refreshing  water. 

Just  at  that  moment  the  clock  struck  half-past 
seven. 

"  By  King  Artus,  half-past  seven  already  !"  cried 
Wikke.  "  I  must  go  to  Brand  at  once.  I  beg  a 
thousand  pardons,  mademoiselle.  I  am  frantic  over 
this  accident,  and  cannot  imagine  how  I  could  for- 
get myself  so  far.     My  stupidity — " 

"Don't  trouble  yourself  any  further  about  the 
matter,"  said  his  hostess,  indulgently.     "  But  if  I 


1 66  The  Opposite  House. 

may  advise  you,  say  nothing  about  it  to  Brand  ;  he 
might  tease  you  most  unmercifully.  Don't  tell 
him  you  were  here  ;  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to 
me.     Are  you  better  ?" 

"  Perfectly  myself  again,"  he  answered  with  a  low 
bow.  "  But  the  recollection  of  my  want  of  tact  will 
be  a  source  of  lasting  pain." 

"  Nonsense  !"  she  answered,  laughing.  "  You  see 
that  I  haven't  taken  offense.  But  go,  if  you  have 
an  engagement,  and  come  soon  to  report  your  re- 
covery." 

Wikke  took  his  departure,  and  Heloise  laughed 
gayly. 

"  Oh,  thrice-praised  Tokay  !  Yonder  fool  hasn't 
the  least  idea  what  a  secret  he  has  betrayed  !" 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


ONE   STEP   NEARER. 


Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  had  remained  in  Wies- 
baden alone,  sending  Marie  to  visit  a  friend  in 
Stuttgart,  in  response  to  Countess  Raven's  earnest 
desire  to  make  the  young  girl's  acquaintance.  She 
had  not  hesitated  to  give  her  consent,  for  the  change 
wrought  in  Marie  by  Gerrald's  departure  had  not 
escaped  her  keen  eyes.  Change  of  scene,  new  re- 
lations and  faces  must  efface  the  impression  pro- 
duced by  the  handsome  Prince  of  the  Mill  and  the 
parting. 

It  was  a  bright,  sunny  morning.  Frau  von  Rot- 
terswyl sat  at  the  window,  reading.  Suddenly  a  low 
knock  at  the  door  interrupted  her. 

"  A  lady  wishes  to  see  you  on  urgent  business," 
said  the  maid. 

The  baroness  looked  up  in  surprise. 

[167] 


1 68  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Admit  her,"  slie  said,  curtly,  fixing  her  gray 
eyes  somewhat  curiously  upon  the  door. 

A  dainty  figure  appeared,  richly  and  tastefully 
dressed,  with  waves  of  raven-black  hair  clustering 
around  her  forehead,  and  the  prettiest  little  feet 
which  had  ever  approached  the  aristocratic  lady. 

"  Pardon  my  intrusion,  baroness,"  said  the  stranger, 
in  a  pleasantly  modulated  voice.  "  It  will  seem 
bold,  perhaps  somewhat  indiscreet  for  me  to  trouble 
you,  yet  I  believe  I  am  acting  in  your  interest  by 
making  you  acquainted  with  certain  matters,  mad- 
am !" 

The  baroness's  eyes  measured  the  visitor  keenly. 
The  piquant  little  face  attracted  her,  but  it  was 
unfamiliar,  and  she  could  not  recollect  having  seen 
the  elegant  costume,  whose  sea-green  hue  could  not 
fail  to  impress  the  memory. 

;  "  If  you  have  called  upon  me  in  regard  to  a  per- 
sonal matter,  madam,"  she  replied  with  a  formal 
bow,  "  I  can  only  express  my  gratitude  for  the  in- 
terest you  feel  in  a  stranger.  At  least  I  cannot 
recall  having  made  your  acquaintance,  and,  if  I 
have  done  so,  I  must  beg  you  to  assist  my  imper- 
fect memory." 

"  I  am  Heloise  Chenois,"  said  the  dancer,  with  a 
slight  bend  of  the  head,  "and  certainly  have  never 
had  the  honor  of  meeting  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl." 

"  And  what  do  you  desire  ?"  asked  the  baroness, 


The  Opposite  House.  169 

haughtily.  A  name  from  the  play-bills  fairly  froze 
her  blood. 

"May  I  ask  yoti  to  hear  me  patiently,  madam?" 
said  Heloise,  advancing  a  few  steps  nearer.  "  I  re- 
peat, that  the  matter  I  have  to  discuss  is  a  serious 
and  important  one." 

The  baroness  silently  pointed  to  a  chair.  All  sorts 
of  fancies  darted  through  her  brain.  What  could 
this  person  want  of  her  ?  She  could  not  under- 
stand. 

"  Permit  me  first  to  ask  a  few  questions,"  the 
Frenchwoman  began,  leaning  lightly  on  the  carved 
back  of  the  seat.     "  Did  you  know  in  your  youth 

Madam  von    B ,  the  widow   of  an   officer  who 

lived  for  some  years  in  Stuttgart?" 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  baroness  in  astonishment. 
"  But  where,  if  I  may  ask — " 

"  Let  me  go  on,"  interrupted  the  dancer,  with  a 
modest  but  very  resolute  gesture.  "  I  will  relate 
the  following  incidents  merely  to  show  that  I  am 
aware  of  them,  that  you  may  credit  the  remainder 
of  what  I  have  to  say.  This  lady  was  betrothed  to  a 
Count  Berndt,  who  accompanied  her  on  a  visit  to 
her  brother  Lewin  at  Castle  H ." 

"  Yes,"  nodded  the  old  lady. 

"  And  this  brother — pardon  my  indiscretion, 
baroness — was  secretly  betrothed  to  you." 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  shrank  back,  her  face 


170  The  Opposite  House. 

blanched  to  the  hue  of  her  cambric  handkerchief. 
A.n  almost  terrified  look  rested  upon  the  dancer. 

"  That  is  also  true,"  she  said  in  a  hollow  tone. 

"  Count  Berndt  was  a  swindler,"  Heloise  curtly 
added.  "  He  stole  his  fiancdes  jewels  and  money, 
and  shot  his  brother-in-law  in  the  forest." 

"  Girl !"  shrieked  the  old  baroness,  "  where  did 
you  learn  dramas  which  occurred  before  your  birth, 
of  which  no  whisper  ever  reached  the  world — " 

"  Have  patience  !"  said  Heloise,  gently  loosing  the 
hand  which  the  baroness  had  clenched  upon  her 
arm.  "True,  no  one  knew  who  had  murdered  the 
unfortunate  Lewin.  The  poachers  had  shot  him — 
was  not  that  the  rumor  ?  But  I  know.  No  trace  of 
the  traitor  was  found  ;  he  was  searched  for  in  vain. 
Ida  died  of  grief  because  she  could  not  survive  the 
condemnation  of  the  man  she  loved." 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  pressed  her  handkerchief 
to  her  eyes.     Everything  grew  dark  before  them. 

"  It  will  soon  be  twenty  years,"  the  dancer  con- 
tinued, "  and  the  story  has  been  forgotten,  like  the 
two  victims  resting  in  their  graves.  My  home  is  in 
Burgundy,  and  in  my  country  it  is  said  that  a  mur- 
dered man  can  find  no  rest  until  the  deed  has  been 
expiated.  Tell  me,  baroness,  are  3^ou  at  peace,  with- 
out having  found  the  criminal  and  without  knowing 
that  he  is  punished  ?  Does  your  heart  feel  no  long- 
ing for  revenge,  or  has  it  passed  away  ?" 


The  Opposite  House.  171 

"  Passed  away !"  cried  the  baroness,  almost  bit- 
terly. "  So  long  as  this  heart  still  beats  it  will  have 
no  other  thought." 

"  And  do  you  hope  to  fulfill  your  vow?  You  have 
some  suspicion,  have  you  not  ?" 

Heloise  gazed  keenly  into  the  old  lady's  eyes ;  her 
voice  sounded  hollow  and  menacing. 

The  baroness  started  up  from  her  chair.  A  ter- 
rible thought  flashed  through  her  brain.  This 
woman  knew  Brand  ;  she  was  his  sweetheart — his 
spy— sent  to  examine  her.  Her  reply  was  a  haughty 
rebuff. 

"  Suspicion,  mademoiselle  ?  Why  should  I  ?  True, 
I  have  one  that  you  have  come  here  from  other  mo- 
tives than  mere  interest  in  me.  Do  not  imagine  that 
the  years  have  dimmed  my  eyes.  They  are  still  keen 
enough,  thank  Heaven,  to  see  through  the  plans  of 
my  fellow-mortals." 

She  turned  her  back  upon  her  with  almost  insult- 
ing contempt. 

"  And  yet  you  are  mistaken,  baroness,"  replied 
Mademoiselle  Chenois,  with  a  quiet  smile.  "  I  as- 
sure you  that  I  stand  before  you  as  a  friend.  So 
you  have  no  suspicion  ?  Very  well ;  I  have  !  Ay, 
I  even  know  who  stole  the  jewels ;  I  know  Count 
Berndt's  real  name  ;  I  know  who  shot  the  baron  in 
the  forest,  and  I  know  the  hand  that  wore  Ida's  be- 
trothal ring  !"  ^ 


172  The  Opposite  House. 

The  old  noblewoman  confronted  her  like  a  pallid 
ghost,  with  dilated  eyes  and  hands  clenched  so  con- 
vulsively that  they  pressed  the  delicate  cambric 
handkerchief  into  a  mere  wisp. 

"  You  know  all  this  ?"  she  shrieked,  with  savage 
exultation.     "  You  know — you  know  him  ?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Heloise,  gravely  ;  "  and  I  know,  too, 
that  long  ago  you  cherished  some  suspicion  ;  that 
you  closely  watched  the  false  count — I  mean 
Brand  !" 

"  Brand  !"  repeated  the  baroness,  in  a  terrible 
voice.  "  Brand !  Where  did  you  learn  all  these 
things,  child  ?  Where  are  your  proofs — your  wit- 
nesses ?" 

"  I  can  produce  no  witness,  or  at  best  only  a  con- 
federate and  fellow-knave  !"  said  the  dancer,  with 
flashing  eyes.  "  But  I  have  one  proof  in  my  hands. 
Convince  yourself,  baroness,  whether  those  lines 
could  have  been  written  by  any  other  person  than 
the  ex-Count  Berndt !" 

She  drew  from  her  pocket  a  scrap  of  paper  and 
unfolded  the  rustling  letter. 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  snatched  it  from  her 
hand  with  passionate  haste  and  read,  in  agitated 
tones : 

"  Old  pal,  I  shall  be  with  you  in  Wiesbaden  to-morrow,  and 
bring  the  whole  party,  Gerrald,  the  aristocratic  little  goose,  also 
old  Lady  Rotterswyl.     Her  presence  isn't  particularly  agreeable. 


The  Opposite  House.  173 

I  would  rather  have  the  secret  spy  a  hundred  miles  off,  or,  better 
still,  with  her  former  lover  in  the  ancestral  tomb  !  Her  memory 
appears  to  be  better  than  I  expected." 

The  sheet  shook  in  the  baroness's  fingers ;  she 
gazed  fixedly  at  it,  then  let  it  fall, 

"  I  thank  you,  Mademoiselle  Chenois,"  she  said, 
holding  out  her  hand  to  the  dancer.  "  I  beg  your 
pardon  for  offending  you  just  now." 

It  was  the  first  time  in  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl's 
life  that  she  had  ever  asked  forgiveness — and  now 
she  appealed  for  it  to  a  ballet-dancer  ! 

"■  But  I  hope  you  will  solve  this  mystery  entirely. 
I  understand  the  enigma  only  in  part,"  she  con- 
tinued.    "  Where  did  you  get  this  letter?" 

"  It  fell  into  my  hands  by  accident,"  said  Heloise, 
calml3^  "  An  intimate  friend  of  the  writer,  to 
whom  the  letter  was  addressed,  dropped  it  out  of 
his  case.  I  found  it  under  his  chair  after  he  had 
gone." 

"•  And  how  did  you  learn  the  whole  connection  of 
the  affair?"  continued  the  baroness. 

"  From  the  same  source.  Herr  Wikke  had  drunk 
some  of  my  Tokay  and,  in  consequence,  became 
communicative." 

"  I  have  heard  that  Brand  was  your  friend  and 
confidant,  mademoiselle?" 

There  was  still  a  tone  of  suspicion  in  the  old 
lady's  vxnce. 


1 74  The  Opposite  House. 

"  He  was  also  your  friend.  Ida's  confidant,"  said 
Heloise,  shrugging  her  shoulders.  "  He  knew  that 
I  had  jewels,  and  came  for  love  of  my  diamonds." 

"  He  has  robbed  you  ?" 

"  Yes,  madam  !" 

"You  have  reported  it?" 

The  dancer  smiled  bitterly. 

*'  He  is  too  clever  a  swindler  to  commit  common 
theft.  No,  he  compelled  me  to  give  him  a  written 
statement  that  I  had  bestowed  the  jewels  upon  him 
as  payment  for  a  trivial  friendly  service.  It  was  a 
mere  pretext,  for  I  am  sure  that,  had  he  given  me 
even  a  srlass  of  water,  I  should  have  been  forced  to 
sign  the  paper.  He  put  his  hand  on  his  breast- 
pocket, saying  :  '  Do  either  this  or  that  ;'  and  I  knew 
that  he  would  be  capable  of  anything,  and  that  the 
pistol  he  carried  was  loaded  !  I  was  obliged  to  sub- 
mit, if  I  wished  to  escape  being  murdered  !  Re- 
venge induced  me  to  lure  from  his  friend  the  secret 
concerning  you,  madam." 

The  Frenchwoman  spoke  as  lightly  as  though 
the  whole  matter  was  a  trifle,  unpleasant,  it  is  true, 
but  not  to  be  changed.  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl 
had  heard  of  the  magnificent  jewels,  and  was  aston- 
ished at  this  cool  reception  of  the  loss. 

"  Shameful !"  she  exclaimed,  pacing  hurriedly  up 
and  down  the  room.  "  But  how  is  he  to  be  captured, 
mademoiselle  ?    The  man  is  as  smooth  and  slippery 


The  Opposite  House.  175 

as  an  eel,  and  I  fear  we  can  hardly  trust  solely  to 
the  letter,  though  it  is  certainly  the  same  hand- 
writing. Let  us  see,  I  have  some  of  Ida's  old  let- 
ters." 

She  went  to  the  chest  of  drawers,  opened  the  one 
in  the  middle,  took  out  an  old-fashioned  portfolio 
and  hurriedly  ransacked  its  contents,  which  con- 
sisted principally  of  letters,  yellowed  sheets,  ar- 
ranged with  a  certain  degree  of  care. 

"  Here,  look  yourself,"  she  exclaimed,  exultingly 
taking  out  a  letter  to  compare  it  with  Brand's. 
"  Precisely  the  same  hand,  only  here  a  little  more 
hurried  and  careless." 

The  dancer  hastily  approached. 

"  Adored  Ida,"  "  Old  Pal."  Yes,  there  was  a  strik- 
ing resemblance  in  the  handwriting. 

"  I  have  other  things  to  reveal,  madam,"  she  said 
in  a  more  excited  tone  than  before,  "  which  would 
surely  place  Brand  in  the  hands  of  the  police.  It  is 
a  secret  which  may  cost  him  his  life.  He  is  a 
sharper  ;  he  is  the  head  of  a  secret  gaming-hell  ;  he 
treads  forbidden  paths,  and  the  police  seem  to  be 
already  on  his  track.     He  is — " 

"  Mademoiselle  !"  cried  the  baroness,  with  vehe- 
ment emotion,  pausing  before  the  visitor.  "  Is  this 
the  truth  ?" 

Heloise  laid  her  hand  upon  her  heart. 

"  I  swear  it,  for  I  have  read  it  in  his  own  hand," 


176  The  Opposite  House. 

As  slie  spoke,  she  gave  the  baroness  another  letter 
from  Brand  to  Wikke. 

The  baroness  read  it  eagerly  and  quickly.  Then, 
with  a  long  breath,  she  straitened  herself,  pressing 
her  clenched  hand  upon  her  breast. 

"  Now,  we  have  won  the  game  !"  she  murmured, 
her  eyes  blazing  with  hate.  "  Oh,  my  God,  how  I 
thank  Thee  for  this  hour  !" 

"  The  main  thing  in  the  whole  matter  is  haste, 
madam,"  said  Heloise,  urgently.  "  If  we  wish  to 
accomplish  anything,  we  must  act  promptly  and 
seize  the  nest  before  the  birds  have  fled.  Brand,  as 
you  see  from  the  letter,  will  play  only  two  evenings 
more,  and  then  secretly  make  his  escape  to  America, 
so  it  would  be  advisable  for  us  instantly  to  take 
steps  to  prevent  his  eluding  us." 

"  You  are  right,"  said  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl, 
rising.  "  Come,  then,  I  will  dress  and  hope  that 
you  will  drive  with  me  to  the  office  of  the  chief  of 
police." 

"  I  will  accompany  you,  madam  !" 

While  waiting  for  the  baroness,  Heloise  gazed 
triumphantly  at  the  green  foliage  before  the 
window. 

"  Only  have  patience,  my  diamonds.  I  will  soon 
come  for  you." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

REVENGE. 

"This  will  be  the  last  evening,"  Brand  nodded, 
with  an  air  of  satisfaction,  as  he  walked  with  Wikke 
toward  the  gaming-hall.  "  Then  we  will  go  by  the 
night  train  direct  to  the  North  Sea,  and  I  hope  to- 
morrow we  shall  see  the  sun  rise  over  Bremen. 
Deuce  take  it !  I  have  the  travelling  fever,  and 
can  scarcely  wait  for  the  hour  of  departure  to 
come." 

"  Dame  Fortune  shall  have  six  psalms  sung  to  her 
when  we  once  breathe  the  sea  air,"  replied  Wikke, 
drawing  a  long  breath.  "  Satan  knows  I  had  a 
wretched  dream  last  night.  Fie  !  I  actually  felt 
the  rope  cut  into  my  neck,  and  when  I  woke,  the 
first  thing  I  did  was  to  touch  my  throat  to  try 
whether  the  disagreeable  knot  was  still  there.  It's 
a  very  uncomfortable  feeling  to  have  the  ground 
sway  under  your  feet." 

U77] 


178  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Nightmare,  my  poor  fellow,"  said  Brand,  forcing 
a  smile,  as  he  involuntarily  loosened  his  cravat  with 
his  thumb.  "  Hanging  has  gone  out  of  fashion  in 
the  nineteenth  century,  and  nobody  thinks  of  cut- 
ting throats  on  account  of  a  little  cheating  at  the 
card-table." 

"  Yes,  but  suppose  that  story  should  leak  out," 
interrupted  Wikke,  glancing  timidly  around.  "  You 
are  surrounded  by  spies  here — Baroness  von  Rot- 
terswyl,  for  instance." 

"  Folly !"  said  Brand,  with  ?C  gay  laugh.  "  I 
haven't  an  atom  of  fear  of  the  old  woman.  If  she 
has  failed  to  discover  my  identity  in  nearly  three 
months,  she  won't  feel  any  suspicion  during  these 
last  six  hours.  Besides,  I  have  served  up  various 
items  of  news  to  her  recently.  Just  now  she  is  pur- 
suing a  clue  in  Breslau,  like  a  vulture  circling 
above  its  prey.  The  poor  province  of  Silesia  is 
closely  watched.  No,  my  boy,  Baroness  von  Rot- 
terswyl  will  not  play  the  part  of  Nemesis  in  this 
life,  and,  spite  of  our  mutual  antipathy,  I  '11  drain  a 
glass  of  champagne  to  her  future  prosperity.  I  've 
already  ordered  some  bottles  of  wine,  and  we  '11  have 
one  more  jolly  time  this  evening." 

"  Have  you  packed  already  ?" 

"  Everything  except  a  few  trifles  to  be  flung  on 
the  top  ;  then  I  '11  close  the  trunk  and  say  farewell 
for  this  time."    Brand  took  his  arm  and  entered 


The  Opposite  House.  1^9 

the  yard  of  the  secret  gaming-house.  "  Baltimore 
is  said  to  be  a  very  gay  place." 

He  laughed,  turned  the  handle  of  the  door,  and 
passed  into  the  dimly-lighted  corridor  up  to  the 
gambling-rooms. 

Visitors  gradually  arrived.  Brand  had  just  ar- 
ranged the  table  in  the  side-room  and  closed  the 
blinds  ;  the  landlord,  Kiihn,  was  noiselessly  clear- 
ing away  the  remains  of  the  food  which  had  been 
served. 

Most  of  the  guests  were  mere  youths,  scarcely 
beyond  boyhood,  and  were  either  preparing  for  the 
military  service  or  visiting  the  springs  for  pleas- 
ure. Some,  it  is  true,  came  from  the  neighboring 
universities  to  spend  Saturday  and  Sunday  at  Wies- 
baden. The  majority  were  children  of  wealthy 
people  who  had  credit  and  property,  but,  still  inex- 
perienced and  thoughtless,  were  easily  tempted,  and 
who  scarcely  understood  the  meaning  of  the  notes 
or  post-obits  which  they  so  willingly  gave. 

Ere  long  the  gambling  was  in  full  swing,  and 
Brand's  keen  eye  watched  the  cash  that  he  might 
be  sure  to  have  three  times  as  much  come  in  as  he 
paid  out.  Luck  appeared  to  be  decidedly  on  the 
side  of  the  bank  to-day.  Doctor  Brand's  well-kept 
hand  constantly  gathered  in  piles  of  glittering  coins, 
and  rarely  pushed  scanty  gains  across  the  green 
table- 


i8o  The  Opposite  House. 

A  death-like  silence  pervaded  the  room,  inter- 
rupted only  by  the  monotonous  tones  of  the  crou- 
pier's voice,  or  the  clink  of  a  gold  piece  falling  on 
the  moldering  boards. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  loud  noise  on  the  stairs. 
Heavy  footsteps  came  nearer  and  nearer.  It  was 
impossible  that  so  many  guests  could  have  arrived 
at  once. 

Brand  listened  ;  his  pale  face  bore  unmistakable 
evidences  of  excitement. 

Suddenly  he  started  up,  and  gazed  with  shaking 
limbs  at  the  door  opposite,  which  had  just  opened. 
A  dark  figure,  in  a  cloak  and  helmet,  appeared  on 
the  threshold,  grasping  a  drawn  sword. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  law,"  said  a  deep  voice, 
"  you  are  my  prisoners  !" 

Other  police  officers  followed  and  hastily  sur- 
rounded the  terrified  gamblers,  who  stared,  with 
blanched  faces,  at  these  unbidden  guests.  Then 
the  momentary  paralysis  ceased,  and  was  followed 
by  great  confusion,  amid  which  all  rushed  to  the 
windows.  In  vain.  The  room  was  in  the  second 
story.  The  young  men,  fairly  crazed  by  despera- 
tion, dashed  forward  to  force  their  way  through  the 
ranks  of  the  officers.  Brand  and  Wikke  darted  to 
the  side-door.  The  former  tore  it  open  with  trem- 
bling hands  ;  a  drawn  sword  flashed  before  his  eyes 
and    a    strong    hand    clutched    his    arm.     Brand 


The  Opposite  Hozcse.  i8i 

wrenched  himself  free  with  almost  superhuman 
effort  and  rushed  back  into  the  room  ;  drops  of  cold 
perspiration  stood  on  his  brow,  and  his  eyes  blazed 
with  the  light  of  insanity  in  their  deep  sockets. 
Taking  refuge  behind  a  table,  he  drew  a  pistol  from 
his  breast-pocket. 

"  Scoundrel  !  Wretch  !"  he  muttered,  through 
his  set  teeth,  as  the  men  pressed  toward  him. 
"  I  '11  shoot  down  like  a  dog  the  first  person  who 
dares  to  touch  me  !  The  devil  knows  I  've  no  idea 
of  jesting.  Kiihn  !  Wikke  !"  he  roared,  clenching 
his  fist.     "  Where  is  Kiihn  ?" 

The  officers  fell  back  a  moment  before  the  mad- 
man who  was  brandishing  the  pistol  at  them.  The 
trigger  snapped  under  his  fingers,  and  his  eyes 
rolled  with  savage  resolution.  Wikke  had  already 
been  arrested  and  led  out  of  the  room.  Brand 
leaned  against  the  wall,  his  face  blanched  to  the 
hue  of  death,  his  white  teeth  glittered  between  his 
drawn  lips.  The  policemen  had  formed  a  circle 
round  the  croupier,  while  a  lieutenant  turned  to  the 
trembling  gamblers,  who,  with  quiet  resignation, 
awaited  their  fate. 

A  compassionate  expression  hovered  around  the 
officer's  lips  as  he  noted  the  reputable  names  of  the 
boyish  prisoners.  Then  he  was  obliged  to  direct 
his  whole  attention  to  Doctor  Brand,  who,  with  sav- 
age threats,  maintained  his  place.    A  painful  pause 


1 82  The  Opposite  Hotise. 

followed.  The  men  hesitated  to  advance  to\v^rd 
the  murderous  bullet.  Just  at  that  moment  the 
door  of  the  room  opened,  and  a  woman's  figure 
crossed  the  threshold.  She  was  muffled  in  gloomy 
black  draperies,  which  trailed  over  the  floor ;  her 
thin  face  looked  like  colorless  marble  amid  the  folds 
of  a  black  lace  scarf,  and  a  pair  of  staring  gray  eyes 
rested  upon  the  prisoner,  who  suddenly  staggered 
back,  lowering  his  weapon.  The  baroness  slowly 
advanced  ;  her  noiseless  approach  seemed  to  the 
horrified  man  like  that  of  a  specter.  With  a  gesture 
of  terrible  accusation,  she  raised  her  slender  hand 
and,  in  a  hollow  tone,  addressed  the  man,  who,  with 
tangled  hair,  leaned  trembling  and  powerless 
against  the  whitewashed  wall. 

"  Max  Zaubinger,  Count  Berndt  and  Doctor 
Brand,  in  the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  make 
my  charge  against  you.  I  accuse  you  of  murder, 
for  with  this  bullet  "—the  baroness  held  the  bit  of 
lead  high  aloft — "  you  killed  the  brother  of  your  be- 
trothed bride,  Barop  Lewin  !  With  the  same  hand  you 
robbed  his  sister  of  her  jewels  and  property,  forged 
a  will  and  a  certificate  of  death  in  Holland,  and,  in 
Eastern  Prussia,  the  birth-year  of  the  dead  Max 
Brand  in  the  church  register." 

"  Lies,  infamous  lies  !"  shrieked  Brand,  foaming 
with  rage.  "  The  woman  is  mad,  raving  crazy !" 
"Btj   a  last   effort   of  resolve,  he  raised   the  pistol. 


The  Opposite  House.  i8 


o 


"  Make  way — or,  so  help  me  Satan,  a  corpse  will 
lie  here." 

"  Calm  yourself,  doctor  !"  replied  the  baroness, 
in  a  tone  of  icy  contempt.  "  If  you  think  a  double 
murder  will  secure  a  better  fate,  you  are  mistaken. 
Eleven  men  will  be  left  to  arrest  you,  if  one  of 
their  number  falls  a  victim.  So  cease  these  vain 
threats,  which  will  be  of  no  avail.  Am  I  raving? 
LiDok,  sir.  Do  you  know  this  letter,  do  you  know 
who  accuses  and  denounces  himself  ?" 

Brand's  eyes  stared  at  the  page  his  gloomy  ac- 
cuser held  out  to  him.  Black  shadows  danced  before 
his  eyes,  and  his  heart  fairly  stopped  beating.  How 
came  this  damning  sheet  into  the  hands  of  his 
enemy  ?  With  a  gurgling  laugh  he  staggered  back 
against  the  wall ;  now  he  perceived  that  all  hope 
was  indeed  over.  Then  a  terrible  thought  flashed 
through  his  brain.  With  sudden  resolution  he 
aithed  his  weapon  at  the  head  of  the  baroness,  but 
the  sergeant's  sword-blade  darted  still  more  swiftly 
through  the  air,  and,  with  a  sudden  blow,  struck 
down  the  menacing  barrel.  There  was  a  loud  re- 
port, a  cloud  of  smoke,  and  Brand  fell  forward 
heavily  against  the  sharp  edge  of  the  table. 

The  smoke  floated  around  the  tops  of  the  helmets, 
l^lie  oil-l£lmps  flickered  dimly  above  the  head  of  the 
baroness,  who,  her  figure  drawn  to  its  full  height, 
still  stood  with  uplifted  hand.     Not  a  muscle  in  the 


184  The  Opposite  House. 

stony  face  quivered.  Why  should  she  tremble 
before  the  hand  which  had  robbed  her  of  every  joy 
in  life  ? 

Close  by  the  wall  lay  a  dying  man,  still  gasping- 
faintly,  his  limbs  twitching  in  the  last  agony.  The 
black-robed  figure  slowly  advanced  and  gazed  in- 
tently at  the  hated  features,  from  which  the  rude 
hand  of  death  had  stripped  the  mask.  The  profile 
of  "  Count  Berndt  "  was  relieved  with  horrible  dis- 
tinctness against  the  floor,  waxen,  pale  and  scarcely 
disfigured,  but  without  its  perpetual  smile.  The 
hand  still  clenched  the  pistol,  and  from  the  temple 
a  dark  stream  trickled  down  the  whole  shirt,  crim- 
soning the  breast  just  at  the  spot  where  the  fatal 
bullet  had  struck  the  hapless  Lewin. 

"  The  murderer  has  executed  himself,  baroness," 
said  the  captain  of  police.  "  Your  accusation  was 
swiftly  followed  by  justice." 

The  lady  stood  motionless  before  the  lifeless 
form,  then,  with  silent  horror,  she  stepped  back, 
clasping  her  slender  hands  : 

"  Thy  ways  are  long  and  wonderful,  oh,  God,  but 
they  lead  to  the  goal — to  vengeance  and  retribu- 
tion !" 

She  bowed  her  head  in  prayer,  then  turned  and, 
with  a  formal  greeting,  passed  noiselessly  through 
the  door. 

Meanwhile  Heloise  had  watched  the  course  of 


The  Opposite  House.  185 

events  from  the  next  room.  She  saw  that  Brand 
was  shot,  and  glided  swiftly  into  the  little  corridor. 
His  overcoat  must  hang  there.  She  groped  her  way 
to  it  and  hastily  searched  the  pockets,  where  she 
found  a  large  door-key  and  a  bunch  of  small  keys. 
Grasping  her  prize  with  delight,  she  hurried  swiftly 
down  the  stairs  into  the  darkness. 

Without  a  single  backward  glance,  Heloise  rushed 
through  the  deserted  streets  to  Brand's  lodgings 
and,  opening  the  door,  ran  up  the  carpeted  stairs  to 
his  room.  She  tried  the  key  ;  her  fingers  trembled, 
but  she  clenched  her  teeth,  opened  the  creaking 
lock  and,  almost  blind  with  excitement,  stepped 
into  the  room. 

The  trunk  stood  in  the  center,  unlocked — so  much 
the  better  !  Heloise  raised  the  lid  and  rummaged 
with  feverish  haste  among  the  various  articles  it 
contained,  tossing  them  hither  and  thither.  Then 
she  uttered  a  low  cry  of  delight.  Her  casket !  Her 
casket  ! 

Snatching  the  treasure,  she  pressed  it  to  her  pant- 
ing breast  and  fled  swiftly  from  the  dead  man's  abode. 

Darting  under  the  rustling  trees  in  the  park,  she 
glided  through  the  shadows  and  reached  home, 
breathless.  There  she  set  the  casket  down  and 
lighted  the  gas — all  the  jets  which  she  could  find  ; 
she  wanted  to  have  the  room  as  bright  as  though 
the  sun  was  shining  into  it  with  full  radiance. 


i86 


The   Opposite  House: 


"Triumpli!"  she  exclaimed,  with  raptiirotis  de- 
light, loosening  her  wealth  of  dark  hair.  She  was 
standing  before  the  mirror,  longing  to  enjt»y  thfe 
sight  of  her  resplendent  image  !  What  a  glow  of 
light  the  chandelier  poured  down  upon  her !  No^ 
for  her  jewels — her  diamonds  ! 

She  went  to  the  casket,  pressing  her  hand  upon 
her  beating  heart,  her  eyes  closed  a  moment,  as  if 
she  was  afraid  of  being  blinded  by  the  flash  of  tile 
diamonds— the  spectacle  of  the  idolized  treasure  to 
which  her  whole  soul  clung !  Then  she  slowly 
raised  the  lid.  A  startled  cry  followed,  and  Heloise, 
staggering  back,  sank  fainting  beside  the  crimson- 
lined  jewel  case.     It  was — empty  ! 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


IN   THE   ENEMY  S   COUNTRY. 


The  mist  hung  like  a  damp  pall  over  the  neigh- 
boring forest ;  the  broad  plain  lay  veiled  and  form- 
less, separated  from  a  patch  of  land  recently  cleared 
by  a  long  row  of  fir-trees.  The  moon  was  pale,  no 
star  shone  brightly  through  the  gray  clouds,  which 
hung  in  a  mass  as  heavy  and  threatening  as  though 
all  the  smoke  of  the  cannon  used  in  the  war  had 
risen  heavenward  to  utter  complaints  and  lamenta- 
tions. 

The  wind  swept  by,  tossing  the  swaying  branches, 
whose  gay  autumnal  foliage  whirled  down  to  the 
damp  earth  ;  the  plaintive  notes  of  birds  echoed  from 
the  neighboring  rushes,  and  died  away  in  a  soft 
echo  in  the  western  valley.  Wooded  mountain- 
peaks  stood  forth  in  sharp  relief  against  the  sky ; 
the  mysterious  notes  of  the  alarm-bell  accom- 
panied the  red  light  on  the  clouds  with  appeals  for 


iSS  The  Opposite  House. 

help  ;  yonder  flamed  the  cruel  torch  swung  by  the 
fleshless  hand  of  war. 

Here,  too,  in  the  little  woodland  meadow  flames 
were  blazing,  but  the  light  they  shed  was  peaceful, 
and  the  scene  which  they  illumined  was  full  of  re- 
pose— the  bivouac  of  the  hussars.  The  guards 
paced  to  and  fro  ;  their  steps  died  away  on  the  moss- 
covered  ground,  and  nothing  was  heard  save  the 
clank  of  the  sabers  when  their  wearers  passed  over 
projecting  roots,  or  the  loose  stones  grated  under 
their  tread. 

The  men,  worn  out  by  the  long  ride,  lay  sleeping 
heavily  on  wretched  beds  made  of  scanty  bundles 
of  rain-soaked  strawy  with  their  cloaks  wrapped 
about  them.  They  were  sturdy  Germans,  among 
them  many  members  of  the  Landwehr,  called  to 
arms  from  the  most  varied  trades,  and  lulled  to 
sweet  dreams  of  their  native  land  by  the  spicy  odor 
of  the  surrounding  forest. 

The  officers  were  gathered  around  one  of  the 
fires.  A  flask  was  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  and 
in  the  midst  of  the  circle  was  spread  a  chart  of  the 
country,  which  was  eagerly  discussed  and  studied, 
and  frequently  crossed  with  colored  pencil-marks. 

The  adjutant  was  silently  tracing  upon  the  chart 
an  almost  imperceptible  path  through  the  moun- 
tains. 

"  Poor  fellow  !"  he  murmured  under  his  breath. 


The  Opposite  House.  189 

"  The  path  can  scarcely  be  found  upon  the  chart,  and 
to  follow  it  on  a  dark  night  in  an  entirely  unknown 
country !  It 's  two  o'clock,  major,"  he  cried,  looking 
up.  "  They  must  have  reached  headquarters  by 
this  time,  if  the  way  was  open." 

The  major  drew  out  his  watch. 

"Yes,  they  may  be  there.  Indeed,  they  may 
have  reached  their  destination  long  ago,"  he  added, 
gravely;  "  but  who  can  tell  where  our  brave  fellows 
may  be  fighting  !  The  ride  was  at  the  risk  of  life, 
and  I  almost  fear  that  Gerrald  pays  too  little  heed 
to  the  danger  which  surrounds  him — knows  no  cau- 
tion in  his  zeal.  Have  you  found  any  by-paths, 
Haldern?" 

"  Two  cross-roads,  major." 

A  pause  ensued.  The  gentlemen  were  grave  and 
absorbed  in  their  own  thoughts  as,  sitting  silently 
side  by  side,  they  puffed  clouds  of  smoke  from  their 
short  pipes. 

The  wind  roared  through  the  neighboring  forest, 
tossing  the  boughs  to  and  fro.  A  wan  moonbeam 
stole  through  the  clouds,  and  the  alarm-bell,  with  a 
last  shrill  note,  ceased  to  sound.  It  was  an  uncanny 
night. 

"It  would  be  a  sad  pity  for  Gerrald,"  murmured 
Lieutenant  von  Haldern  between  his  set  teeth.  "  So 
brave  a  soldier  deserves  to  die  on  the  field  of  honor, 
and  not  be   treacherously  shot  from  ambush,  like 


igo  The  Opposite  Hous6.' 

hunted  game.  These  beastly  Franc-tircurs  infest 
the  whole  tegion,  and,  by  heaven,  it 's  no  child's 
play  to  slip  through  their  line." 

"  Even  if  our  brave  cotnrade  should  not  return," 
interposed  one  of  the  captains,  "  he  will  proba,bly 
die  the  most  honorable  death  of  any  of  us.  In  the 
open  field  the  soldier  has  his  enemy  before  him  ;  he 
knows  where  Death  grins  at  him  and  does  not  fear 
his  dart ;  but  Gerrald  volunteered  for  a  ride  dur- 
ing which  every  step  may  be  his  last,  where  danger 
threatens  on  all  sides,  and  before  which  our  boldest 
men  quailed.  It  was  necessary  to  carry  to  head- 
quarters the  news  that  the  enemy  was  advancing  ill 
strong  force,  unnoticed  ;  if  he  obtained  free  passage 
all  was  lost.  Thanks  to  the  bold  spy  and  our  friend 
Gerrald 's  excellent  glass,  we  perceived  the  ma- 
neuver in  time,  and,  I  hope,  shall  now  be  able  to 
thwart  the  clever  plan." 

Meantime  the  smothered  beat  of  horses'  hoofs 
was  heard  amid  the  neighboring  thicket ;  the 
branches  snapped  and  rustled ;  now  and  then  a 
saber  clanked.  Impatient  snorting  and  the  noise 
of  pebbles  dashed  aside  reached  the  ears  of  the 
officers ;  then  the  dewy  moss  subdued  the  sound, 
and  nothing  was  heard  except  the  pattering  of  the 
rain-drops  shaken  from  the  drooping  boughs. 

The  sentinel  challenged. 

*'  Lieutenant  Gerrald  and   ten  hussars  returned 


The  Opposite  House.  191 

from  orderly  duty,"  replied  the  young  officer's 
familiar  voice. 

The  troop  of  cavalry  turned  into  the  meadow, 
and  their  leader  sprang  from  his  steaming  horse 
and  hastily  advanced  toward  the  group  of  officers, 
who  had  started  up  and  rushed  to  meet  him. 

"  Where  in  the  world  did  you  come  from?"  asked 
several  voices  in  astonishment.  But  the  young 
man  stood  erect  before  his  superior  officer,  raised 
his  hand  to  his  cap  in  a  military  salute,  and  briefly 
gave  his  report. 

The  flickering  fire  cast  a  vivid  light  upon  his 
handsome  features  and  flashed  upon  his  saber 
swinging  at  his  side. 

"  I  thank  you.  Lieutenant  Gerrald,"  replied  the 
major,  with  a  tremor  of  feeling  in  his  gruff  tones. 
"  I  thank  you  in  the  name  of  our  country.  You 
have  saved  the  lives  of  many  brave  comrades, 
and  aided  our  illustrious  sovereign,  if  it  is  God's 
will,  to  a  fresh  victory !  So  the  order  to  advajice  is 
given,  the  battle  will  come  at  last,  and  I  believe, 
gentlemen,  that  we  are  on  the  eve  of  an  important 
day.  Your  hand,  Gerrald.  What?  Are  you 
wounded  ?" 

Haldern  hastened  forward  and  raised  the  limp 
arm,  in  whose  place  Gerrald  had  offered  his  left 
hand,  while  the  other  members  of  the  group  pressed 
arouad  him  with  eager  questions. 


192  The  Opposite  Hozise. 

"  Were  5^011  forced  to  cut  your  way  through  the 
enemy  ?     Have  you  had  a  skirmish  ?" 

The  young  officer  made  an  involuntary  effort  to 
raise  the  wounded  limb. 

"We  met  the  men  in  blouses!"  he  muttered  be- 
tween his  set  teeth,  with  flashing  eyes.  "  We  were 
obliged  to  leave  two  fine  fellows  yonder  in  the 
mountains.  Corporal  Hocker  has  received  a  severe 
wound  in  the  head,  and  three  horses  are  injured  ; 
but  the  darkness  prevented  my  determining  to 
what  extent.  Sergeant  Meissner's  little  bay  limps 
badly.  I  received  a  slash  in  the  arm  as  a  memento  ; 
it 's  a  mere  trifle,  but  it  makes  it  useless." 

He  turned  and  held  out  his  sound  hand  to  Hal- 
dern  and  his  other  comrades. 

"  How  are  you,  gentlemen  !  I  almost  thought,  up 
yonder  in  the  woods,  that  we  should  never  say 
good  evening  to  one  another  again  !" 

His  voice  sounded  blithe  and  cordial. 

"  So  there  was  a  sharp  skirmish  ?"  cried  a  young 
officer,  springing  across  a  bundle  of  straw  to  offer 
his  field  flask.  "  By  Jove,  Gerrald,  3^ou  are  a  lucky 
fellow  !  I  am  quite  sure  any  one  of  us  would  have 
bit  the  dust,  and  you  alone,  as  Fortune's  favorite 
child,  escaped  with  barely  a  scratch.  There  he 
stands  now  as  quietly  as  though  nothing  of  the 
least  importance  had  happened,  and  yet  he  as  good 
as  has  the  iron  cross  in  his  pocket.     The  major 


The   Opposite  House.  193 

doesn't  say  much  usually,  but  to-day — "  He 
glanced  with  a  significant  gesture  at  his  superior 
officer,  who,  accompanied  by  the  surgeon,  had  gone 
to  the  returned  hussars  to  examine  their  various 
wounds. 

"  So  the  bomb  will  burst  to-morrow  !"  a  first  lieu- 
tenant called  across  the  fire.  "  Well,  any  battle  in 
the  open  field  will  be  more  welcome  than  this  con- 
founded work  in  the  woods,  where  the  utmost  that 
can  be  expected  is  to  get  a  murderous  bit  of  lead  in 
the  ribs.  So  you  encountered  the  band  in  the  woods 
and  sharpened  your  swords  on  one  another's  bones 
in  the  true  barbarous  fashion  of  ancient  times.  How 
strong  were  they  ?" 

"  Probably  twace  our  number,"  replied  Gerrald, 
shrugging  his  shoulders. 

Haldern  gravely  interrupted. 

"  I  had  confidently  expected  that  you  would  re- 
main at  headquarters  until  to-morrow.  To  make 
such  an  expedition  twice  in  one  night  augurs  more 
than  contempt  of  death,  and  I  am  also  perfectly 
sure  that  you  returned  to  us  by  your  own  wish." 

Gerrald  gazed  gloomily  into  vacancy. 

"  The  order  to  march  had  to  be  brought  to-night, 

for  we  are   to  join  the  infantry  in  E at  eight 

o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  and,  consequently,  we 
must  leave  here  at  five  at  the  latest.  The  general 
wished  to  send  a  party  of  dragoons ;  but  what  was 


194  ^^^^  Opposite  House. 

the  use  of  having  the  poor  fellows  wander  about  in 
this  wilderness,  where  they  would  never  have  found 
their  way  down  into  the  valley  !  I  had  already  gone 
through  the  difficulties,  and  knew  the  ground,  while 
they  were  ignorant  of  it.  No,  that  would  have  been 
useless  waste  of  life  !  My  men  ride  like  the  Wild 
Huntsman  ;  the  horses  were  still  fresh ;  so  wh}' 
should  others  dash  into  needless  destruction  ? 
Therefore  I  volunteered  to  return." 

"  I  hope  the  general  understood  the  meaning  of 
the  offer  ?"  said  Von  Haldern,  with  sparkling  eyes. 
"  I  presume  he  was  satisfied  with  his  hussars  ?" 

"  He  thanked  me  in  the  name  of  the  king  and  as- 
sured me  of  his  fullest  appreciation,"  replied  Ger- 
rald,  quietly  nodding  assent.  "  But  I  really  don't 
understand  why  you  make  such  an  ado  over  my 
doing  my  duty,     I  consider  it  a  matter  of  course." 

"  Go  and  cool  your  arm  now  ;  the  hand  is  very 
much  swollen,"  said  the  captain  of  the  regiment, 
who  had  returned  with  the  major.  "  You  will  prob- 
ably be  unable  to  use  anything  but  a  revolver  to- 
morrow, Gerrald  ;  it  's  a  bad  cut." 

"  And  I  advise  you  to  get  a  few  hours'  sleep,  my 
brave  young  fellow,"  added  the  commander,  holding 
out  his  hand  to  him  a  second  time.  "  Corporal 
Hocker  and  Meissner  have  given  me  the  details  of 
your  skirmish,  and  I  can  only  express  my  entire 
satisfaction  with  yourj^iscreet  management.    I  con- 


The  Opposite  House.  195 

gratulate  you,  comrade,  and  shall  propose  your 
name  as  a  loyal  soldier  for  the  bestowal  of  the  iron 
cross." 

Gerrald  silently  bowed  his  thanks.  A  deep  flush 
crimsoned  his  brow,  and  his  mournful  eyes  sparkled 
with  the  proud  delight  of  the  young  warrior  who 
gathers  his  first  laurels  from  the  thorny,  blood- 
soaked  ground. 

Haldern  thrust  his  arm  into  his  friend's  and  drew 
him  away  to  the  camp-fire.  His  brother  officers 
pressed  with  sincere  pleasure  around  their  univer- 
sally popular  comrade,  and  they  finally  exchanged 
a  "  good-night  "—perhaps  the  last.  There  was 
something  in  the  clasp  of  the  hand  which  suggested 
an  eternal  farewell.  There  is  a  strange  feeling  con- 
cerning the  parting  on  the  eve  of  a  battle.  Who 
knows  whether  to-morrow  evening  one  can  clasp  a 
hand  warm  with  life  ? 

So  they  parted  and  laid  their  weary  heads  to  rest 
beside  the  crackling  fire.  It  sounded  as  familiar  as 
at  their  beloved  homes,  and  pitying  dreams  con- 
jured around  their  damp  couches  the  dear  forms 
far  away  in  their  distant  native  land. 

Haldern  and  Gerrald  still  sat  together.  The  fire 
had  almost  burned  out ;  only  a  bright  flash  occasion- 
ally blazed  upward,  flickering  over  the  faces  of  the 
two  men  who  were  conversing  so  earnestly  together. 

Leo  von  Haldern  had  a  peculiar  temperament. 


196  The   Opposite  House. 

whose  almost  gloomy  bias  made  him  appear  several 
years  older.  A  series  of  misfortunes  and  the  loss 
of  the  woman  whom  he  loved  had  embittered  his 
youth  and  prematurely  ripened  him  to  manhood, 
frequently  rendering  life  a  necessity  hard  to  endure. 
His  features  were  pale,  finely-chiseled,  and  marked 
with  the  lines  of  fate.  He  was  a  quiet,  thoughtful 
man,  whose  frequent  melancholy  formed  a  strange 
contrast  to  his  companions'  gay  spirits,  and  which 
doubly  attracted  him  to  Gerrald,  whose  reserve 
touched  a  sympathetic  chord.  Their  friendship 
was  a  slow  growth,  but  it  was  a  bond  formed  for 
life,  which  made  the  young  men  as  intimate  as 
brothers.  Haldern  was  a  man  of  brilliant  intellect, 
whose  talents  and  knowledge  were  gladly  recog- 
nized and  appreciated.  He  served  his  country 
better  with  his  brains  than  with  his  blade,  whose 
keenness  he  had  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to  test. 
Compared  with  his  excitable  friend,  he  possessed  a 
calm,  reflective  character,  quietly  repaired  many  an 
error  which  the  hot-headed  Gerrald  committed,  and 
yet  bestowed  upon  the  young  officer,  though  so 
much  his  junior,  his  warmest  admiration  and  friend- 
ship. His  passionate  longing  for  conflict  and  peril 
impressed  him  ;  the  daring  boldness  with  which  he 
made  his  reconnoitering  expeditions  affected  him 
as  much  as  it  won  the  admiration  of  his  comrades ; 
and   the  success  which    frequently  attended   his 


The  Opposite  Ho7ise.  197 

efforts,  and  gained  for  him  the  esteem  and  regard 
of  his  superior  officers,  rendered  Haldern  as  proud 
and  happy  as  though  he  himself  was  the  bold  rider. 
Gerrald  was  an  original  sort  of  fellow,  and  his  fear- 
lessness frequently  bordered  upon  a  strange  defiance 
of  danger,  when  he  essayed  to  push  a  perilous  situ- 
ation to  extremes. 

Yet  Haldern's  keen  eye  did  not  fail  to  perceive 
that  this  scorn  of  death  and  exposure  of  his  own 
life  was  from  a  morbid  desire  to  court  the  perils  of 
war  as  much  as  possible,  that  he  was  constantly 
throwing  down  the  gauntlet  to  death,  and  yet  had 
constantly  escaped,  frequently  in  a  very  remarkable 
way.  The  young  baron  even  understood  his  friend's 
dreams  and  thoughts  when,  at  the  close  of  a  day  of 
wild  excitement,  he  was  left  to  himself  and  his 
reveries  ;  and  after  gazing  mournfull}^  into  the  dis- 
tance, he  buried  his  face  in  his  hands  with  a  gesture 
of  despair,  after  covering  the  sealed  mystery  which 
he  wore  day  and  night  like  a  talisman  upon  his 
heart  with  fervent  kisses. 

"Gerrald,"  the  adjutant  began,  fixing  his  dark 
eyes  earnestly  upon  his  friend's  features,  "  this  is, 
perhaps,  the  last  time  I  shall  see  you.  What  may 
have  befallen  us  by  to-morroAV  evening,  we  do 
not  know,  and  I  have  a  sad  foreboding  that  I  must 
tell  you  everything  which  burdens  my  heart  to- 
day, since  I  may  not  be  able  to  do  so  to-morrow." 


198  The  Opposite  House, 

Gerrald  pressed  the  speaker's  hand,  and  gazed 
silently  into  the  ruddy  glow  at  his  feet. 

"  You  have  been  my  best  and  truest  friend, 
Traugott,"  Von  Haldern  added,  in  an  agitated  tone. 
"  I  have  loved  few  persons,  and  been  loved  by  few. 
I  have  never  known  happiness.  Death  robbed  me 
of  all  that  I  held  dear ;  you  are  the  only  soul  who 
has  understood  me  ;  you  have  often  shared  my  grief 
and  been  silent  concerning  your  own  life.  I  have 
never  asked  the  cause  of  your  mysterious  conduct, 
have  never  tortured  you  with  questions,  as  a  friend 
may  be  permitted  to  do,  because  I  was  afraid  of 
being  indiscreet.  This  is,  perhaps,  the  last  time 
that  we  shall  have  the  sky  above  our  heads.  Take 
no  secret  into  the  grave,  Gerrald.    Reveal  it." 

The  young  officer  raised  his  eyes  sorrowfully. 

"  I  have  no  secret,  Leo,"  he  said,  in  a  hollow  tone. 
"  On  the  contrary,  too  many  already  know  it ;  that  is 
why  I  keep  silence.  What  you  desire  to  learn  is 
quickly  told  ;  the  words  containing  so  much  misery 
are  absurdly  few.  I  made  a  vow  and  broke  it.  I 
possessed  the  love  of  a  woman  of  angelic  purity  and 
forfeited  it.  I  deserted  a  ballet-dancer  and  she 
revenged  herself  upon  me,  and  now  I  wish  to  offer 
my  life  in  expiation,  and  Death  disdains  it  ;  or  has 
hitherto.  What  the  morrow  will  bring  1  do  not 
know." 

He  supported  his  head  on  his  hand  and  gazed 


The  Opposite  House.  199 

fixedly  at  his  sword,  whose  point  was  jagged  and 
stained.  Raising  the  slender  steel  blade,  he  tested 
the  point  with  his  thumb. 

"  It  has  done  me  many  a  good  service,"  he  mur- 
mured ;  "  hold  out  bravely  to-morrow,  old  friend." 

Haldern  made  no  reply ;  he  seemed  lost  in 
thought.  The  leaves  rustled,  a  horse  snorted,  and 
a  sentinel's  saber  clanked  against  the  roots  and 
stones. 

Leo  raised  his  head. 

"  Does  she  no  longer  love  you  ?"  he  asked,  in  a 
low  tone. 

Gerrald  drew  his  treasure  from  his  pocket. 

"  Look ;  she  gave  me  this  when  we  parted  ;  a  tal- 
isman that  is  to  protect  me.  Then  we  bade  each 
other  farewell.  I  do  not  know  what  it  is.  I  cannot 
open  it  until  I  am  severely  wounded  or  can  replace 
it  in  her  hands  at  the  close  of  the  campaign.  Does 
she  love  me  ?  Yes,  she  said  so,  though  perhaps  it 
was  an  act  of  charity,  of  mercy,  not  to  let  the  man 
who  once  possessed  her  heart  depart  without  a 
blessing.  Oh,  Haldern  !"  he  groaned,  pressing  his 
hand  upon  his  breast  in  the  torture  of  his  suffering. 
"  Why  must  I  drag  out  this  burdensome  existence, 
of  which  I  am  utterly  weary  ?" 

"  Do  not  sin,  Gerrald  ;  you  are  standing  on  the 
verge  of  the  grave  every  instant !"  said  Haldern, 
passing  his  arm  around  his  friend's  neck.     "And  if 


200  The  Opposite  House. 

you  survive  to-morrow,  show  that  you  are  still  worthy 
— to  live." 

The  fresh  morning  breeze  swept  over  the  meadow 
and  drove  the  mist  into  the  valley  ;  Haldern  drew 
his  cloak  closer  around  his  shoulders  and  pushed  a 
bundle  of  straw  under  his  head. 

"  Let  us  rest  an  hour,  comrade,"  he  said.  "  We 
shall  need  fresh  strength  to-morrow,  and  it  will  be 
so  pleasant  to  be  waked  once  more  by  the  bright 
sunshine." 

"  You  speak  as  though  you  had  ordered  a  bullet 
specially  for  your  heart,"  said  Gerrald,  trying  to 
jest.  "  No,  we  will  not  say  good  night  to  each  other, 
friend  Leo.  God  grant  that  the  sun  may  shine  in 
your  eyes  for  many  a  year  !" 

A  tender  clasp  of  the  hand,  then  all  was  still 
around  the  fire  ;  its  coals  yet  glimmered  under  the 
ashes  ;  the  blades  of  grass  waved  to  and  fro,  a  faint 
light  tinged  the  sky,  and  the  sentinel  on  the  edge 
of  the  forest  hummed  softly  under  his  breath  : 

"  Then  I  think  of  my  distant  love, 
Whether  she  tender  and  true  will  prove." 


{9^ 


CHAPTER   XX. 

A   MEETING. 

The  sun  set,  blood-red.  It  had  witnessed  much 
misery  during  that  day's  course,  been  reflected  in 
many  a  dim  eye,  and  drunk  from  the  earth  with  its 
burning  rays  many  a  soldier's  heart's  blood ;  now 
it  was  sinking  to  rest,  casting  a  shimmering  farewell 
light  upon  the  sleepers  whose  cold  hearts  will  rest 
on  the  morrow  beneath  the  cool  earth.  They  slum- 
bered soundly  and  forever — the  brave  champions  of 
God  and  their  native  land  ! 

The  battle  was  over.  Deep  peace  brooded  over 
the  broad  field  of  conflict.  A  distant  signal,  a 
neighing  steed,  dashing  riderless  across  the  plain, 
were  the  only  sounds,  save  an  occasional  death- 
rattle. 

[201] 


202  The  Opposite  House. 

Gerrald  slowly  raised  himself ;  his  bewildered 
gaze  rested  on  the  sunset  glow,  wandered  over  the 
field  of  carnage,  the  corpses  and  heaps  of  ruins,  then 
slowly  returned  to  the  broken  sword  at  his  side. 
Where  was  he  ? 

He  mechanically  pressed  his  hand  upon  his  shoul- 
der.    The   warm   blood   trickled   over    his   finger, 
staining  his  dusty  uniform.     Gradually  conscious, 
ness  returned,  and,  with  a  deep  sigh,  he  looked  at 
the  aching  wound.     So  he  was  still  alive  !     He  lay 
bleeding  upon  the  deserted  field.     Where  were  his 
comrades  ?    Where   was    Haldern  ?    Yes,   now   he 
remembered  how  they  had  fought — dashed  against 
the  hostile  square.     He  saw  Haldern  fall  from  his 
horse  ;  pressed  forward  to  lift  the  dying  man  ;  he 
saw  the  foe  dash  down  upon  him  ;  raised  his  pistol ; 
beheld  the  enemy  fall ;  then  his  own  horse  sank 
under  him  ;  he  worked  his  way  out  from  beneath 
the  animal's  weight ;  his  arm  fell  powerless  ;  some- 
thing struck  him  ;  then  all  was  darkness.    But  where 
was  Haldern  ?     Did  he  still  live  ?    Had  he  escaped  ? 
Traugott  felt  his  strength  revive.     Turning  his 
head,  he  gazed  searchingly  around.     There  lay  the 
Frenchman  whom  he  had  shot,  and  a  few  paces  off, 
his  horse  ;  but  he  did  not  see  Haldern,     And  yet, 
was  not  that  a  hussar  uniform  among  yonder  heap 
of  corpses  ?    And  there   again — and   there  !    Ah  ! 
He  saw  several  familiar  uniforms. 


The   Opposite  Hoilsc.  203 

His  heart  quivered  at  the  spectacle.  He  longed 
to  start  up,  to  rush  forward,  but  sank  back  again, 
and  a  terrible  pain  in  his  arm  and  shoulder  almost 
robbed  him  of  consciousness  a  second  time.  Groan- 
ing heavilv,  he  let  his  head  sink  on  the  g-round. 
The  moss  cooled  his  cheeks,  and  the  broken  stems 
of  the  heather  mingled  with  his  tangled  hair. 
Minutes  elapsed ;  then  a  burning  thirst  tortured 
him.  He  longed  for  a  few  drops  of  some  refreshing 
drink,  and  feeling  for  the  leather  thong  which  held 
his  field-flask,  he  raised  it  with  a  trembling  hand  to 
his  lips. 

The  brandy  ran  down  his  throat  like  fire,  seemed 
to  rouse  his  dormant  vitality,  and  made  the  blood 
throb  in  his  temples.  Opening  the  uniform,  he 
tried  to  strip  off  the  sleeve.  Again  a  stream  of 
blood  poured  from  the  wound,  dyeing  the  white  rib- 
bon on  his  breast.  The  "  God  guard  you  "  was  col- 
ored with  a  crimson  stain.  Traugott  pressed  his 
handkerchief  on  the  wound,  and  once  more  at- 
tempted to  rise,  tottering  forward  a  few  steps  only 
to  fall  again.  By  his  side  lay  the  French  horseman. 
The  bullet  had  pierced  his  breast  ;  a  dark  stream 
was  also  flowing  from  a  wound  above  his  high  boots, 
and  his  livid  lips  quivered  from  the  terrible  agony 
he  was  suffering. 

Unutterable  sympathy  overpowered  the  young 
oflficer.     He  again  loosed  his  field-flask,  bent  over 


204  The  Opposite  House. 

the  wounded  man,  and  slowly  dropped  the  strength- 
ening liquid  on  his  parched  tongue.  A  long  breath 
heaved  the  chest,  the  limbs  relaxed  as  if  with  a 
sense  of  profound  relief,  and  when  Traugott  un- 
fastened the  buttons  of  the  coat  and  loosened  the 
sword-belt,  the  cuirassier  opened  his  dim  eyes  and 
gazed  at  the  German  deliverer  who  was  so  merci- 
fully aiding  his  foe. 

An  inarticulate  murmur  reached  his  ear ;  the 
Frenchman's  wan  hand  was  feebly  raised,  and  Trau- 
gott understood  the  mute  thanks,  lifted  the  wounded 
man's  head  to  a  more  comfortable  position,  and  re- 
peatedly moistened  his  parched  tongue.  A  smile  of 
touching  appreciation  flitted  over  his  distorted  face  ; 
then  sighing  heavily,  he  closed  his  eyes,  and  again 
lapsed  into  unconsciousness. 

Weakness  also  overpowered  Traugott,  who  lay 
gazing  blankly  at  the  clouds,  whose  sunset  hues 
were  fading.  He  arranged  his  head  more  comfort- 
ably on  the  moss-covered  stone  ;  his  hand  rested 
heavily  on  his  breast,  closely  clasping  the  mysterious 
jewel  which  seemed,  in  truth,  to  guard  him.  Then 
he  looked  thoughtfully  at  the  pallid  face  of  the 
French  cavalryman,  and  the  hand  which  but  a  few 
hours  ago  had  wielded  the  weapon  with  such  youth- 
ful vigor  now  lay  clenched  upon  his  bleeding 
breast. 

It  was  a  narrow  face,  framed  by  a  dark,  full  beard  ; 


The  Opposite  House.  205 

the  liigh  forehead  was  grave  and  furrowed  by  lines 
of  thought.  Now  there  was  a  terrible  rigidity  in 
every  feature,  a  marble  pallor  which  yielded  only 
to  the  deep  shadows  under  the  closed  eyes — the 
mysterious  banner  of  Death,  which  he  plants  with 
a  rude  hand  upon  the  countenances  of  his  victims. 

Traugott  gazed  earnestly  at  this  face,  which  con- 
jured up  a  flood  of  thoughts.  Who  could  he  be  ? 
Where  was  his  distant  home,  which  would  give  him 
no  grave  beside  his  loved  ones  ?  Whom  did  he 
leave  behind  in  unutterable  anguish  ?  Perhaps  a 
mother  mourning  her  only  child — her  comfort,  her 
hope  ;  a  mother  whose  sole  joy  was  in  those  closed 
eyes,  perhaps  never  more  to  open  upon  the  light  of 
this  world.  Oh,  happy  son,  whose  mother  can  re- 
member him  in  love  and  peace,  who  need  never 
reproach  himself  with  having  darkened  her  life  ! 
Or  did  a  betrothed  bride  await  him — a  young,  loving 
creature,  whom  his  strong  arm  was  to  guide  ?  Will 
she  not  weep  for  him  and  daily  pray  for  his  return  ? 
What  was  her  appearance  ?  Did  she  resemble  that 
one  image  of  maidenhood,  fair  and  thoughtful, 
gentle  and  sweet  as  yonder  little  wild  rose  hanging 
by  its  broken  stem  from  the  bush  ?  Or  was  she  a 
true  child  of  the  Southern  sun,  laughing  and  viva- 
cious, mischievous  and  coquettish  amid  her  wealth 
of  waving  brown  locks  ? 

Gerrald's  head  sank  lower^  on  his.breast.    The 


2o6  The  Opposite  House. 

figures  before  his  eyes  became  more  indistinct, 
blending  into  a  misty  blur.  Only  the  blossom 
waving  on  the  rock  opposite  stood  forth  distinctly 
before  his  eyes,  and  seemed  to  be  transformed  into 
a  girl's  rosy  face,  nodding  gently  and  consolingly 
to  him.  The  wounded  man  closed  his  eyes  with  a 
smile,  and  dreamed  of  the  little  wild  rose  amid  the 
swaying  boughs. 

Dreary  weeks  dragged  slowly  along  on  leaden 
wings ;  weeks  alternating  between  the  delusions  of 
fever  and  death-like  exhaustion,  and  which  gave 
cause  for  greater  apprehension  from  the  sufferer's 
nervous  exhaustion  than  from  the  wound  itself. 

Gerrald  was  in  a  hospital.  How  he  had  come 
there  he  did  not  know  ;  he  only  remembered  dimly 
that  he  had  been  awakened  on  the  battle-field  by 
the  rescuing  party,  and  had  stood  beside  Haldern's 
corpse  to  kiss,  with  deep  emotion,  the  cold  brow  of 
his  loyal  comrade.  As  he  closed  his  glazed  eyes 
and  then  sank  fainting  himself,  the  nervous  fever 
set  in,  the  surgeon  had  stated. 

Now  the  worst  was  over.  The  struggle  between 
life  and  death  had  ended.  Gerrald's  youth  and 
vigorous  constitution  had  again  snatched  him  from 
the  edge  of  the  grave,  beside  which  he  had  so  often 
stood  without  descending  into  it.  Next  to  his 
couch  was  the  one  occupied  by  the  French  cuiras- 
sier.    It  brought  a  soothing  sensation  to  the  yotmg 


The  Opposite  House.  207 

officer  to  see  the  familiar  features  near  him.  He 
felt  less  desolate  after  recognizing  his  companion 
in  suffering  at  his  side. 

By  Traugott's  special  request  the  Frenchman  had 
received  on  the  battle-field  the  prompt  and  careful 
aid  without  which  the  feeble  spark  of  life  would  have 
been  long  since  extinguished  ;  now  the  young  Ger- 
man tended  him  as  one  tends  a  beloved  friend  whose 
wishes  we  seek  to  read  in  the  eyes  ere  they  are  uttered. 

The  stranger  was  far  too  severely  wounded  to 
keep  pace  with  Gerrald  in  his  recovery.  He  could 
rarely  exchange  a  few  words  with  him — nay,  he 
scarcely  recognized  his  Samaritan  of  the  battle-field ; 
and  when  consciousness  slowly  returned,  as  conva- 
lescence progressed,  he  lay  on  his  couch  of  pain  in 
gloomy  silence,  staring  mournfully  at  the  clouds  of 
snow  which  the  tempest  drove  westward.  He  could 
never  again  dance  or  ride,  as  if  to  vie  with  the  little 
flakes  ;  he  had  become  a  cripple  ;  sound  and  vigor- 
ous in  mind,  but  broken  in  strength  in  the  very 
prime  of  life  ! 

It  was  a  gloomy  winter  evening.  The  storm 
raged  through  the  streets,  creaking  the  rusty  vane, 
driving  the  icy  flakes  against  the  panes  and  heap- 
ing them  high  on  the  frozen  earth,  then  sweeping 
them  away  and  spreading  them  out  in  a  glimmering 
pall,  beneath  which  all  the  magnificence  and  glad- 
ness of  the  wide  world  lay  buried. 


2o8  The  Opposite  Ho7ise. 

An  old  monastery  had  been  transformed  into  a 
hospital,  which  sheltered  in  its  cells  and  halls  the 
hapless  victims  of  the  dearly-bought  victories,  which 
daily  brought  more  sufferers  to  the  House  of  Mercy. 

Traugott  lay  in  a  small  room  on  the  ground  floor, 
with  a  Prussian  infantry  captain.  The  third  com- 
panion was  the  French  cuirassier,  who  became  more 
and  more  warmly  attached  to  his  German  neighbor. 
There  was  a  peculiar  charm  in  approaching  with  self- 
sacrificing  kindness  and  friendship  the  man  with 
whom,  a  few  weeks  ago,  he  had  a  life-and-death 
struggle,  and  studying  in  his  book  of  life  many  a 
noteworthy  chapter  which  reflected  the  world  in 
hues  ever  new.  What  triumph  could  have  been 
greater  than  that  of  making  the  enemy  a  friend  for 
life? 

Gerrald  had  learned  many  incidents  of  the  young 
Frenchman's  past,  which  contained  a  portion  of  the 
Parisian  world,  whose  changeful  scenes  formed  a 
piquant  romance  in  the  eyes  of  the  grave  German. 
Maurice  de  Gorc}?-  was  the  son  of  aristocratic 
parents,  but  having  been  orphaned  at  an  early  age 
and  left  in  possession  of  a  considerable  fortune,  he  had 
enjoyed  his  youth  to  the  full,  fluttered  through  his 
Parisian  Eden,  and  finally  fell  in  love  with  a  little 
dancer,  far  more  deeply  than  he  would  ever  admit. 
She  flirted  with  him  as  she  did  with  the  rest  of  her 
admirers,  laughed  at  him  when  he  attempted  to  re- 


The  Opposite  House.  209 

proach  her  for  her  reckless  conduct,  and  pouted 
scornfully  when  he  talked  of  marriage.  This  irri- 
tated his  proud  nature,  and  he  broke  with  her. 
She  left  the  country,  and  Maurice  married  a  mem- 
ber of  the  aristocracy,  the  beautiful,  idolized  mar- 
quise, who  possessed  every  attraction  save  a  heart 
to  love  him.  He  admired  her  beauty,  without  feel- 
ing any  thrill  of  affection  ;  endured  her  caprices 
without  a  murmur ;  shared  her  triumphs  without 
being  jealous.  Day  by  day  he  became  more  gloomy, 
till  he  was  at  last  called  an  oddity.  Then  his  wife's 
conduct  suddenly  passed  beyond  the  borders  of  de- 
corum ;  he  roused  himself  from  his  indifference,  de- 
fended the  honor  of  his  name,  obtained  a  divorce 
from  his  wife,  and  shot  her  lover  in  a  duel. 

He  was  now  entirely  alone  in  the  world  ;  but  he 
did  not  grieve.  He  had  become  too  grave  to  find 
pleasure  in  Paris,  and  so  buried  himself  in  the  soli- 
tude of  his  estates.  There  he  wandered  alone 
through  the  woods,  without  friend  or  companion. 
He  did  not  even  hunt  much  ;  he  had  no  interest  in 
the  flying  game  ;  but  when  he  saw  a  glittering 
lizard  glide  over  the  moor,  with  its  bright  eyes 
sparkling  through  the  blades  of  grass,  he  thought 
of  his  litttle  dancer,  and  sighed  deeply  at  the  re- 
membrance. 

Then  the  war  came.  He  hurried  back  to  Paris, 
and  took  up    arms.     While  riding   through  the 


2IO  The  Opposite  House, 

boulevards,  chatting  with  an  acquaintance,  a  branch 
of  laurel  fell  on  the  neck  of  his  horse,  and  a  laugh- 
ing face  bent  from  a  carriage  an  da  familiar  voice 
called  : 

"  Bon  jour,  Maurice  !" 

He  again  saw  his  dancer  of  the  Vari^t^s.  His 
love  surged  up  again  in  his  heart,  stronger,  more 
sincere  than  ever  ;  but  there  was  no  time  to  tell  her 
so.  And  why  should  he  ?  She  probably  loved  him 
no  better  now  than  in  former  days.  So  he  went  to 
the  war.  He  wrote  to  her  several  times,  and  con- 
stantly expected  a  few  lines  in  reply ;  but  in  vain. 
She  had  probably  never  received  his  letters. 

"What  was  the  lady's  name?"  asked  Traugott, 
eagerly. 

"  Blanche  Vertieux,"  said  the  cuirassier,  dreamily. 

"  So  it  was  not  she,"  murmured  Gerrald.  He 
fancied  he  must  know  the  dancer,  too. 

The  fire  snapped  on  the  hearth  ;  a  little  lamp 
which  diffused  a  flickering  light  hung  from  the  chim- 
ney. The  sick-room  was  silent.  Maurice  lay  asleep  ; 
the  captain  had  stumped  out  into  the  hall  on  his 
wooden  leg  to  chat  with  some  comrades,  or  to  write 
letters  home,  and  Traugott  lay  silently  on  his 
cushions,  painting  sweet  visions  of  the  future. 

Just  at  that  moment  the  door  noiselessly  opened. 
A  woman's  slender  figure  entered,  brushing  the 
flakes  of  snow  from  her  black  dress.    The  hussar 


■     The  Opposite  House.  2 1 1 

did  not  look  up.  He  thought  it  was  a  Sister  of 
Charity,  and  merely  waved  his  hand  toward  his 
sleeping  friend. 

Then  words  fell  on  his  ears.  A  voice  asked  for 
Maurice  de  Gorcy. 

The  tone  of  that  voice  was  like  an  electric  shock. 
He  raised  himself,  stared  at  the  newcomer,  and  al- 
most shrieked  : 

"  Heloise  !" 

She,  too,  tottered  back  several  paces,  raising  her 
hands  in  boundless  amazement,  then  murmured,  in 
a  hollow  tone  : 

"  You  here,  Traugott?" 

He  gazed  into  her  face,  which  looked  pale  and 
narrow,  framed  in  a  black  veil.  The  eyes  were 
mournful  and  surrounded  by  black  circles  ;  the  lips 
were  drawn  tightly  over  the  white  teeth.  What 
had  happened  to  Heloise  ?  She  was  no  longer  the 
same  as  of  yore.  No  longer  the  laughing  beauty — 
the  Satanella  of  the  D stage  ;  but  a  feeble,  frag- 
ile woman,  standing  in  her  black  robes.  What 
could  she  have  experienced  to  banish  from  her 
cheeks  the  reckless,  sunny  smile  ? 

"  So  you  are  Blanche  Vertieux  ?"  cried  Gerrald, 
raising  himself.  "  Oh,  I  suspected  it.  I  recognized 
you  in  every  word.  No,  do  not  go  to  him.  Mau- 
rice has  been  ill — dangerously  ill.  He  must  not  see 
you  again  so  unexpectedly,  Blanche  Vertieux !" 


212  The  Opposite  Hotcse. 

She. slowly  approached  and  gazed  mournfully  at 
him. 

"  Yes,  that  is  my  real  name,  Traugott ;  though  I 
am  known  by  it  only  in  Paris.  So  he  spoke  of  me — 
he  expected  me  ?"  she  went  on,  excitedly,  "  Ah,  if 
I  have  not  come  this  weary  way  in  vain  !" 

Her  eyes  met  his,  which  rested  gloomily  upon 
her,  and  he  averted  his  head  as  she  steadily  returned 
the  gaze. 

"Traugott,"  she  said  softly,  clasping  her  hands, 
"  I  never  expected  to  meet  you  again  in  this  life.  I 
did  not  hope  to  do  so,  and  now  that  it  has  happened 
I  thank  God  for  it." 

A  heavy  sigh  escaped  her  lips,  and  her  eyes  rested 
anxiously  on  his  pallid  face.  She  awaited  an  answer, 
but  Traugott  pressed  his  lips  firmly  together  and  re- 
mained silent. 

"  It  has  burdened  me  like  some  evil  spell,"  Heloise 
continued,  in  a  trembling  voice.  "  The  memory 
haspursued  me  like  a  demon,  granting  me  no  peace. 
I  have  had  no  good  fortune  since  I  left  you,  Trau- 
gott !  Everything  has  resulted  in  disaster  ;  every- 
thing went  wrong,  and  the  star  hitherto  so  favorable 
set  forever  in  gloomy  clouds.  The  remembrance  of 
our  last  meeting  haunted  me  as  if  I  had  pronounced 
the  curse  upon  myself,  and  the  hand  which  hurled 
your  jewel  into  the  lake — " 

"Silence!"    groaned   the  wounded    man.     "Go, 


The  Opposite  House.  213 

Heloise,  go.  Why  do  you  cross  my  path  again,  if 
you  merely  wish  to  remind  me  of  the  hour  that 
poisons  my  whole  existence  ?" 

There  was  a  terrible  accusation  in  the  tone  of  his 
voice,  and  Heloise  pressed  her  hand  upon  her  heart 
with  a  bitter  smile. 

"Poisons  your  whole  existence ?"  she  repeated, 
with  an  indescribable  look.  "  As  if  you  were  the 
only  sufferer,  Gerrald — a  greater  sufferer  than  the 
woman  who  wrecked  her  own  happiness  with  yours, 
who  is  compelled  to  bear  the  double  torture  of  the 
pangs  of  conscience  and  of  desertion — abandoned 
alike  by  God  and  the  world  !  Do  you  imagine,  Ger- 
rald, that  that  night  left  no  traces  upon  me — did  not 
pour  into  my  heart  the  venom  I  sought  to  instill  into 
yours  ?  I  have  felt  every  word,  every  one  of  those 
sharp  dagger-thrusts  with  two-fold  keenness  in  my 
own  heart,  a  heart  that  cannot  forget  that  it  once 
loved  you  !  I  have  never  wept  during  my  gay  life 
on  the  stage ;  never  regretted  any  action  ;  did  not 
even  know  the  bitter  taste  of  tears.  Now  it  seemed 
as  if  all  the  omissions  were  to  be  repaired — as  if  I 
were  now  to  pass  through  all  these  hours  of  sorrow, 
hours  which  had  once  seemed  so  absurdly  far  away. 
I  was  to  atone  doubly  for  my  former  mockery. 
Every  form  of  misery  has  been  heaped  upon  me 
during  this  last  year.  Oh,  God,  what  experiences  I 
have  had !  What  bitter,  bitter  want  I  have  endured !" 


214  ^^^  opposite  House. 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands — thin,  trans- 
parent white  hands. 

Traugott  raised  himself  on  his  pillows  ;  her  words 
pierced  him  to  the  heart,  and  the  sight  of  her  stirred 
him  even  more  powerfully  than  memory. 

"You  have  suffered  want?"  he  repeated,  with 
dilated  eyes.  "  How  can  a  woman  like  you  suffer 
want?  You,  Heloise,  who  are  received  everywhere 
with  open  arms  ?" 

A  sorrowful  smile  quivered  around  her  lips  as  she 
gazed  intently  at  the  sleeping  cuirassier,  who,  sigh- 
ing heavily,  turned  over  on  the  other  side. 

"  I  was  ill ;  robbed  ;  helpless,"  she  continued,  in 
a  hollow  tone.  •'  No  one  took  my  part ;  I  could  get 
no  engagement.  Matters  went  from  bad  to  worse. 
I  knew  what  it  was  to  eat  dry  bread.  Oh  !  And 
then  the  war  !  This  horrible  war  !  I  received  a 
letter  from  Maurice  ;  he  was  the  only  human  being 
who  still  cared  for  me.  I  sought  him  amid  all  these 
horrors.  I  knew  that  I  should  find  him."  She 
paused  again  ;  then,  with  a  swift  glance,  asked  : 
"  Have  you,  too,  been  unhappy,  Traugott  ?  Un- 
happy for  the  sake  of  a  half-withered  flower,  which 
the  fair-haired  baroness  could  restore  at  any  time  ? 
Why  is  your  whole  existence  poisoned  because,  in 
the  whirl  of  the  dance,  you  lost  her  little  pledge  of 
love?  Are  you  still  wretched,  Traugott?  In  the 
name  of  Heaven's  mercv,  tell  me  that  it  is  not  so  !" 


The  Opposite  House.  215 


She  sank  beside  his  couch ;  her  timid  glance 
pleaded  for  mercy,  and  tears  streamed  upon  her 
clasped  hands  ;  the  flickering  firelight  danced  over 
her  emaciated  features. 

"  You  do  not  know  the  association  with  that 
flower,  Heloise,"  murmured  the  young  officer,  in  a 
hollow  tone.  "  You  are  mistaken  if  you  think  it 
was  a  gift  from  Marie.  When  I  put  the  flower  into 
the  case,  I  neither  knew  her  nor  dreamed  how  ter- 
rible the  consequences  of  such  a  memento  might 
become." 

"  Not  from  Marie  ?"  escaped  her  lips ;  her  feat- 
ures expressed  mortal  anxiety.  "  Good  heavens  ! 
What  was  it,  then  ?" 

"  The  last  legacy  of  a  dead  woman  !*'  said  Trau- 
gott,  with  marked  emphasis.  "  The  blossom  was 
from  my  mother's  coffin  !" 

A  low  cry  reached  his  ears.  Heloise  was  on  her 
knees,  with  her  blanched  face  hidden  in  her  hands. 
There  was  no  sound,  only  a  slight  tremor  shook  the 
black-robed  form. 

At  last  she  looked  up  at  him,  with  a  strange  light 
sparkling  in  her  eyes. 

"  Then  forgive  me,  for  the  sake  of  my  soul,  which 
this  flower  has  saved  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  !" 

Gerrald  clasped  her  hand  closely  in  his  own. 

"  Forgotten  and  forgiven,  Heloise  !"  he  said,  gen- 
tly.    "  You  have  faithfully  atoned  for  your  error ; 


2i6  The  Opposite  House. 

and  I,  too,  have  passed  through  darkness  into  light. 
Let  us  part  in  peace,  as  friends — friends  for  time 
and  eternity  !" 

Heloise  had  risen,  and  laid  her  hand  upon  his 
head,  as  if  in  benediction. 

"  Yes,  be  my  friend,  Traugott,"  she  pleaded,  with 
a  gentle  glance.  "  I  am  beginning  a  new  life  to- 
day, and  God  sent  me  the  helping  hand  which  will 
point  out  the  better  path.  A  butterfly  does  not 
stop  fluttering  to  and  fro.  I  am  fit  neither  for  a 
sister  nor  a  nun ;  but  I  will  be  a  good,  true  wife. 
Yonder  sick,  crippled  man  needs  aid  and  sympa- 
thy— '  She  pointed  to  the  wounded  officer.  "  If 
he  does  not  reject  the  dancer,  she  will  find  in  his 
heart  a  home  where  she  can  accomplish  good." 

**  No — he  will  not  reject  her!"  exclaimed  Trau- 
gott, in  an  agitated  tone.  "  He  will  welcome  the 
woman  who  occupies  his  thoughts  night  and  day, 
like  a  weary  bird  who  has  flown  to  and  fro  long 
enough !" 

"  May  God  grant  it,"  said  the  little  dancer  of  the 
Varietes.  And  clasping  her  hands,  she  prayed 
silently.  Satanella  had  laid  her  golden  horns  in  the 
grave  with  her  lover. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

AN  EXCELLENT  MATCH. 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  had  returned  from  lier 
visit  to  Frankfort.  She  looked  somewhat  pale  and 
weary,  her  eyes  had  a  strangely  mournful  expres- 
sion, and  her  gaze  was  pensive  and  often  dewy  with 
tears.  Her  mother  thought  that  her  daughter's 
manners  were  far  more  finished,  and  that  she  had 
acquired  at  Countess  Raven's  entertainments  the 
ease  of  bearing  which  a  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl 
should  possess  under  all  circumstances. 

Marie  uttered  a  sigh  of  relief  when  she  again  en- 
tered her  quiet  home.  This  peaceful  room,  with 
its  bow-window,  was  so  far  above  the  confused 
tumult  of  the  world,  knew  naught  of  all  the  heart- 
break below,  and  received  the  young  girl  like  a  cozy, 
hidden  nest,  whither  she  could  flee  with  all  her  sor- 
rows. True,  there  were  no  blossoms  on  the  rose- 
bushes in  the  window  ;  only  a  few  Alpine  violets 
were  opening  their  petals  on  the  sill,  and  nodded  a 
greeting.    The  little  songsters  were  still  in  charge 

[217] 


2i8  The  Opposite  House. 

of  the  bird-seller,  and  a  thick  layer  of  dust  rested 
on  the  book-shelves  ;  but  her  old  friend  in  the  black 
frame  gazed  down  at  her  with  the  same  quiet  smile . 
Ah,  did  she  not  suspect  how  much  sorrow  her  de- 
scendant had  endured  during  this  time  ?  It  cheered 
Marie  to  know  that  she  was  again  near  her  loyal 
ancestress.  She  gazed  at  the  familiar,  pallid  features 
of  the  picture  which,  through  so  many  long  years, 
had  been  her  sole  companion,  leaned  her  head  ten- 
derly against  the  lifeless  breast,  and  for  the  first  time 
felt  thoroughly  at  home  in  her  secluded  nook.  Alas, 
it  was  a  sorrowful  meeting — very  different  from  the 
one  Marie  had  imagined  at  her  departure.  Burning 
tears  coursed  down  her  cheeks  and  wet  Barbara 
Gerrald's  portrait. 

Little  Marie  had  been  away  many  long  months. 

When  she  left   D ,  the  fierce  sun  of  July  was 

burning  in  the  heavens,  and  the  whole  wide  world 
was  full  of  green  foliage  and  blossoms  ;  every  breast 
was  stirred  with  emotions  of  happiness,  and  the 
heart  joined  exultantly  in  the  love-song  of  Nature. 
And  now  winter  had  come.  All  was  cold  and  deso- 
late, deserted  and  silent.  The  wind  was  tearing  the 
last  withered  leaves  from  the  trees  to  the  ground, 
and  the  snow  was  falling,  covering  the  bosom  of  the 
earth  with  high  white  drifts,  that  the  eye  might  see 
no  trace  of  former  magnificence. 

Marie  went  to  the  window,  melted  the  glittering 


The  Opposite  House.  219 

frost-flowers  with  her  breath,  and  looked  across  to 
his  window,  where  he  had  once  stood  gazing  mourn- 
fully up  at  the  sky.  How  long  ago  that  was,  and 
how  many  changeful  scenes  life  had  unrolled  be- 
tween the  past  and  present ! 

The  panes  were  covered  with  frost.  The  ancient 
house  stood  before  her,  rigid  and  lifeless  as  a  tomb, 
like  the  enchanted  palace  in  Uhland's  poem,  in 
whose  garret  chamber  white-haired  Poesy  sits  at  the 
buzzing  wheel. 

Old  Gretlis  still  lived  in  the  lonely  building, 
shadowy  and  busy  as  a  good  spirit  weaving  thread 
after  thread  into  the  long-desired  shroud. 

The  young  baroness  gazed  thoughtfully  across 
the  street,  then,  with  a  heavy  sigh,  rested  her  head 
against  the  window-sash.  The  sight  of  the  silent 
house  pierced  her  to  the  heart,  yet  she  could  neither 
avert  her  eyes  nor  turn  her  thoughts  from  it.  She 
had  heard  nothing  from  young  Gerrald  for  a  long 
time.  Whom  should  she  ask  ?  She  did  not  know  a 
single  human  being  in  Frankfort  whom  she  could 
trust ;  no  one  was  interested  in  Gerrald,  no  one 
knew  him.  Perhaps  Count  Hasso  might  have  aided 
her,  but  she  saw  only  too  soon  that  it  would  be  use- 
less to  apply  to  him.  Besides,  she  felt  a  positive 
aversion  to  Aunt  Raven's  idol,  and  the  more  the 
latter  praised  his  talents  and,  with  maternal  blind- 
ness, lauded  the  young  man  to  the  skies,  the  more 


220  The  Opposite  House. 

clearly  Marie  saw  the  fundamental  defects  in  his 
character,  which  were  concealed  by  the  superficial 
varnish  of  polished  manners.  She  had  already  seen 
men  of  character  too  wholly  unlike  to  be  impressed 
by  this  youthful  dandy,  who  too  often  strove  to 
supply  his  lack  of  personal  comeliness  by  the  arts  of 
the  toilet. 

But  Count  Raven  was  a  good  match,  and  this 
enabled  marriageable  beauties  to  close  their  eyes, 
admire  him  in  the  most  undeserved  manner,  and  con- 
stantly inspire  the  heir  of  Castle  Raveneck  with 
fresh  conceit. 

His  personal  appearance  was  styled  original,  in- 
teresting and  attractive,  because  it  was  impossible 
to  call  him  handsome.  Count  Hasso  had  the  height 
which,  combined  with  the  leanness  often  associated 
with  it,  produces  a  figure  similar  to  Offenbach's 
Prince  of  Arcadia — a  figure  whose  every  garment 
seems  borrowed,  and  hangs  limp  on  the  limbs. 
Every  novelty  in  the  fashion  journals,  even  were  it 
the  most  monstrous  idea  of  some  Paris  or  London 
brain,  was  first  adopted  by  Count  Raven,  who  liked 
to  appear  in  society  attired  in  the  most  extravagant 
elegance.  His  mouth  was  large,  and  frequently 
opened  for  a  yawn,  at  which  no  one  took  offense  ; 
or  for  some  witless  remark  intended  to  arouse  a 
laugh,  and  which  duly  fulfilled  its  purpose.  This 
mouth  also  opened  at  times  to  delight  a  circle  of 


The  Opposite  Hotise.  221 

appreciative  friends  with  a  song,  in  a  voice  that 
certainly  left  much  to  be  desired,  but  which  had 
been  trained^by  famous  teachers  in  a  series  of  the 
most  expensive  lessons,  and  elicited  expressions  of 
rapture  on  all  sides.  What  did  it  matter  if  a  false 
note  occurred  here  and  there  ?  Count  Raven  sang 
it — and  Count  Raven  was  a  good  match. 

Marie  could  never  forget  her  first  meeting  with 
this  hero  of  sporting  circles. 

Countess  Raven  had  greeted  her  at  the  station, 
and  conducted  her  to  the  room  assigned  for  her 
use.  She  was  expected  in  the  dining-room  at  the 
tea  hour,  and  meanwhile  a  maid,  placed  at  her 
orders,  was  unpacking  the  young  lady's  trunks  in 
the  next  room. 

Marie  went  down  to  the  countess's  boudoir  before 
the  appointed  hour,  to  spend  the  time  in  examin- 
ing the  well-filled  book-shelves.  She  almost  started 
at  the  sight  of  a  gentleman — a  stranger — clad  in 
the  most  careless  attire,  who  was  reclining  in  a 
rocking-chair  and  pufiing  clouds  of  smoke  through 
his  nose. 

"  Pardon  me  !  Come  in,  cousin  !"  he  called,  in  a 
somewhat  harsh  accent,  without  changing  his  atti- 
tude in  the  least.  "  Excuse  my  negligee,  but  I  've 
just  come  from  some  confotmdedly  tiresome  races. 
My  jockey  was  thrown,  and  I  rode  the  second  heat 
myself.    Zounds  I     It  was  tremendously  tiresome  ! 


222  The  Opposite  House. 

But,  by  tlie  way,  welcome  to  our  house.    I  shouldn't 
have  known  you  at  all." 

He  put  a  pair  of  eye-glasses  on  his  nose  and,  with- 
out altering  his  negligent  posture,  held  out  his  hand. 
Marie  took  no  notice  of  the  gesture,  but  bowed 
somewhat  formally,  and  said  that  she  would  not  in- 
terrupt him  longer.  His  boorish  manners  irritated 
her. 

'' Betise !''  replied  Hasso,  soothingly.  "You  see, 
Marie,  that  I  don't  disturb  myself  at  all — don't  allow 
myself  to  be  interrupted.  I  never  do — never  !  You 
won't  shake  hands  with  me  ?  Very  well,  just  as  you 
choose.  I  understand  the  timidity  of  you  ladies. 
But  no  ceremony  ;  draw  up  yonder  chair  and  sit 
down.  I  '11  read  you  a  few  capital  jokes  from 
Punch.  I  hope  you  understand  English  ?"  He 
pointed  with  his  foot  toward  the  piece  of  furniture. 
His  morocco  slipper  fell  off,  displaying  a  red-silk 
stocking.  "Miserable  canaille!''  cried  Hasso,  bend- 
ing his  noble  back  to  replace  it.  He  would  doubt- 
less have  accepted  the  service  had  Marie  sprung 
forward  to  relieve  him  of  the  trouble.  "  There  are 
plenty  of  liveried  rascals  running  about  the  house," 
he  went  on,  trying  to  find  the  most  comfortable 
place  among  the  cushions.  "  They  fairly  tread  on 
one  another's  heels  ;  but  nobody  is  at  hand  when 
wanted — of  course  !" 

This  sort  of  treatment  began  to  amuse  the  young 


The  Opposite  House.  223 

baroness.  She  knew  that  she  was  dealing  with  an 
enfant  gat^,  and  quietly  took  her  seat  in  the  chair 
designated,  asking,  with  a  suppressed  laugh,  whether 
tea  was  usually  served  so  late. 

Raven  stretched  himself. 

"  I  really  don't  know,  ma  belle,''  he  confessed,  anx- 
iously tying  his  Indian  kerchief  in  the  exact  knot 
desired.  "  I  very  rarely  take  tea  with  mamma ; 
these  tite-a-tHes  are  so  horribly  wearisome,  and  we 
usually  have  guests  only  at  dinners  or  evening  en- 
tertainments ;  besides,  I  am  so  overwhelmed  with 
invitations  that  I  'm  often  compelled  to  practice  all 
Sorts  of  tricks  to  escape  these  notes,  even  to  get  to 
the  theatre.  True,  we  don't  have  much  in  this 
hole.  A  few  passable  ballet-dancers.  Pshaw !  Peo- 
ple here  are  very  modest  in  their  claims  !"  Count 
Hasso  said  all  this  in  a  tone  as  blase  as  possible  ; 
then,  leaning  back  again,  stretched  his  legs  before 
him  and  puffed  out  volumes  of  smoke.  "  Zounds ! 
Did  you  notice  that  ring,  cousin  ?  Smokers  make 
such  a  fad  of  such  things  now.  There  it  is  again. 
Capital !     Perhaps  you  would  like  a  cigarette,  too?" 

Marie  declined ;  took  up  a  book,  and  examined 
the  fine  illustrations. 

"  I  remained  at  home  to-day  especially  on  your 
account,"  Hasso  went  on,  scanning  the  young  lady 
as  if  he  expected  at  least  a  fainting  fit  in  acknowl- 
edgment of  such  graciousness.     "  Mamma  thought 


224  ^'^'^  Opposite  House. 

decorum  demanded  it.  At  first  I  was  to  go  to  the 
station  for  you,  but,  to  be  frank,  cousin,  you  arrived 
at  such  an  inconvenient  hour  that  I  could  not  pos- 
sibly take  out  my  bays  again ;  they  have  done 
enough  for  to-day."  He  took  a  paper  and  some 
tobacco  from  an  elegant  case,  twisted  another 
cigarette,  then  settled  himself  comfortably  to 
smoke. 

Marie  assured  him  that  she  had  not  expected 
such  a  sacrifice,  and  Hasso  thought  this  quite  a 
matter  of  course,  then  glanced  at  the  clock  and 
muttered  an  oath  under  his  breath. 

"  Aren't  you  hungry,  Marie  ?  Nobody  knows 
what  they  are  all  about  to-day.  It 's  half -past  eight 
o'clock.  But  look  here.  I  'm  used  to  their  tricks, 
and  provide  accordingly.  Taste  these  conserved 
fruits.  They  are  nice,  I  assure  you.  My  dog  and 
I  eat  a  box  of  them  every  day.  Minkahas  followed 
my  taste  very  quickly.  By  the  way,  have  you  heard 
of  my  dogs  ?  I  'm  passionately  fond  of  training 
them.  Minka  leaps  superbly.  I  '11  show  you  the 
creatures  some  time,  only  please  don't  ask  me  this 
evening.  I  know  by  the  young  ladies  here  that  they 
can  never  wait  for  me  to  begin.  I  'm  too  much  used 
up  to-day,  'pon  honor."  He  slipped  a  bit  of  peach 
into  his  mouth,  and  again  offered  the  box  to  the 
young  lady.  "  I  get  these  things  direct  from 
Sarotti,"  he  added.     "  He  knows  my  exacting  taste 


The  Opposite  House.  225 

and  sends  me  nothing  but  first-class  goods.  I  hope, 
cousin,  that  you  will  share  some  of  my  various 
pursuits.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  escort  you  to  the 
theatre,  concerts,  etc.,  if  it  can  be  done  without  in- 
terfering with  my  usual  engagements.  It  mustn't 
be  any  restraint  upon  me,  comprenez-votis  ?  Will 
mamma  accompany  us  ?  Why,  you  see,  cousin,  my 
petite  maman  often  promises  a  great  deal  which  she 
does  not  and  cannot  perform.  She  is  so  much  in 
demand.  People  fairly  quarrel  over  us,  and  I  am 
quite  accustomed  to  make  my  bow  to  her  empty 
chair.  But  that  can  be  arranged.  I  just  heard  the 
hall-door  open.     She  is  coming  at  last." 

He  leaned  his  head  back,  and  gazed  wearily  at  the 
door. 

"  Bon  soir,  maman  r  he  said,  without  rising. 
"  Excuse  my  keeping  my  seat.  I  'm  fairly  knocked 
up." 

Countess  Raven  kissed  his  forehead  as  she  passed. 

"  Good-evening,  darling." 

Then  she  held  out  her  hand  to  Marie  with  a  pleas- 
ant smile. 

"  Ah,  so  you  have  already  made  each  other's  ac- 
quaintance, children  ?"  she  cried,  in  her  vivacious 
tones.  "  It  is  delightful  to  see  how  young  people 
waive  ceremony,  and — yes,  as  unconcernedly  as  pos- 
sible, my  Hasso  in  a  dressing-gown !  But,  mon 
ange^  that  is  really  too  negligee  for  a  first  meeting." 


•2  2  6  The  Opposite  House. 

She  tapped  his  cheek  lightly  with  her  fan,  then 
turned  to  the  young  baroness  : 

"  Forgive  him,  Marie  !  He  is  often  still  a  mere 
child,  who  hesitates  at  nothing.  But  I  rejoice  that 
he  is  still  unspoiled.  We  so  rarely  find  that  among 
5^oung  men  of  the  pre.sent  day.  You  will  be  satisfied 
with  him  in  other  respects.  My  Hasso  is  considered 
a  finished  cavalier.  He  sings  delightfully,  is  a  very 
fair  artist,  and  the  ladies  here  go  into  raptures  over 
him.  Isn't  that  true,  Hasso  ?  And  it  doesn't  make 
him  the  least  bit  vain.  He  is  always  the  same — 
agreeable  to  every  one.  People  envy  me  this  son. 
Have  you  been  talking  long  ?  It  grew  rather  late. 
I  had  several  letters  to  fini.sh  ;  but  I  hope  tea  has 
been  brought  to  you  ?" 

The  young  count  had  at  last  risen  with  a  heavy 
sigh,  and  clattered  on  exaggeratedly  high  heels  to 
the  mirror. 

"  Count  Hasso  offered  me  some  of  his  delicious 
fruit,"  said  Marie,  smiling.  "  He  had  so  much  of 
it  that  we  were  in  no  danger  of  starving." 

"  What  ?  '  Count  Hasso  ?'  Surely,  child,  you  will 
not  address  your  cousin  so  formally  ?"  cried  the 
countess,  in  horror.  "  Why,  that 's  an  unheard-of 
thing.  Come  here,  my  dear  ;  shake  hands,  and  call 
each  other  '  thou,'  as  you  ought." 

"  I  've  already  offered  her  my  hand,  mamma," 
cried  the  heir  of  Rayeneck  ;  "  but  Marie  would  not 


The  Opposite  House.  227 

take  it.  But  I  've  treated  her  just  like  a  cousin, 
though  she  was  so  distant." 

"Yes,  my  Hasso  becomes  acquainted  at  once!" 
said  his  mother,  smiling.  "  Come,  my  son,  offer 
Marie  your  arm,  and  let  us  go  to  dinner." 

*  *  *  *  V;  -X- 

This  was  Marie's  first  impression  of  the  young 
man,  and,  unfortunately,  all  the  time  of  their  inter- 
course could  give  no  more  attractive  view  of  him. 
His  exaggerated  familiarity,  especially  in  the  pres- 
ence of  strangers,  affected  Marie  almost  unpleas- 
antly. The  hints  of  acquaintances,  and  even  of 
Aunt  Raven  herself,  which  intimated  that  a  future 
wedding  was  in  prospect,  seemed  an  absurdity  to 
the  young  girl.  But  she  maintained  silence  toward 
her  aunt  as  well  as  to  her  mother,  and  merely 
treated  the  young  hero  to  a  few  ready  retorts,  which 
reduced  him  to  the  condition  of  an  embarrassed 
school-boy.     Nevertheless,  Count  Hasso  sometimes 

paid  a  visit  to  D ,  and  was  thoroughly  convinced 

of  the  honor  he  paid  the  gray  old  house  by  his 
august  presence. 

The  baroness  seemed  to  have  expected  the  son  of 
the  clever  Countess  Raven  to  be  a  person  very  un- 
like this  affected  dandy,  who  had  scarcely  out- 
grown the  childishness  of  youth.  His  immature 
character  was  by  no  means  suited  to  attract  or 
bestow  lasting  happiness  upon  a  woman  of  earnest 


2  28  The  Opposite  House. 

nature  ;  and  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl,  seeing  this 
only  too  plainly,  decided,  though  with  a  heavy 
heart,  to  renounce  her  long-cherished  desire  to  see 
Marie  mistress  of  Castle  Raveneck. 

The  old  baroness  was  strangely  changed  since 
her  return  from  Wiesbaden.  Brand's  end  had  made 
a  far  deeper  impression  upon  her  than  any  one 
would  have  imagined,  and  the  pallid  death-mask, 
which  had  lain  at  her  feet,  seemed  to  have  re- 
opened old  wounds  which  were  now  no  longer 
closed  with  icy  pride,  but  permitted  to  bleed  in 
mild,  beneficent  tears,  shed  upon  the  breast  of  her 
own  child. 

Marie  scarcely  recognized  her  mother.  She  could 
not  understand  this  sudden  revulsion  of  feeling, 
but  she  suspected  that  the  hour  had  come  which 
made  the  ice  melt  and  the  buds  of  love  and  tender- 
ness in  the  heart  unfold.  The  relation  between 
the  mother  and  the  daughter  grew  warmer.  They 
began  to  comprehend  each  other,  and  the  baroness 
obtainted  many  a  glimpse  of  her  child's  soul,  which 
made  her  seriously  consider  how  to  drive  the  cloud 
from  her  brow.  She  read  with  more  than  usual 
interest  the  news  of  the  army  corps  to  which  Ger- 
rald  belonged,  and  glanced  with  evident  haste  and 
anxiety  over  the  list  of  the  losses  of  the  German 
officers. 

Ascending  the  steps  leading  to  the  little  bow- 


The  Opposite  House.  229 

window    room,   she  scarcely   dared    to    enter   the 

peaceful   chamber  from  which  rang  the   notes  of 

Marie's  gay  song.     The  newspaper  containing  the 

mournful  tidings  rustled  in  her  hand.     She  paused, 

then    reluctantly    crossed  the   threshold,   gravely 

showed  her  daughter  the  news  of  Gerrald's  wound, 

and  uttered  no  reproof  when  the  poor  girl  threw 

herself,   sobbing,   into    her   arms ;   nay,   she   even 

uttered  a   few  words  of  sympathy  for  her  young 

friend  and  hoped  he  would  soon  recover. 

Ah,   how  this   new  gentleness  from   the   proud 

woman  comforted  Marie  ! 

So  the  months  passed  slowly  away. 

****** 

It  was  a  bright  spring  Sunday,  clear  and  radiant 
with  the  fresh  green  leafage  that  appeared  on  every 
bush  and  shrub  awakening  to  new  life.  The  terri- 
ble cold  of  winter  had  passed  away,  and  the  crocuses 
and  early  primroses  were  already  perfuming  the 
warm  air.  Marie  was  knitting  socks  for  the  wounded 
men,  and  had  just  examined  a  heel  with  an  air  of 
satisfaction,  when  the  door  was  hurriedly  opened, 
and  her  maid,  Liesbeth  Lohfeld,  almost  rushed  in. 

"  Pardon  me,  baroness,"  she  cried,  her  cheeks 
glowing  with  an  almost  purple  flush  from  her  haste, 
*'  but  I  bring  such  good  news  that  I  ran  all  the  way 
from  the  mills  here  in  fifteen  minutes.  Just  think, 
my  Friedrich  has  been  made  corporal !" 


230  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Good  heavens !"  said  Marie,  clasping  her  hands. 
*'  You  have  reason  to  be  congratulated,  Liesbeth. 
Fortune  seems  to  favor  Friedrich.  He  remains  un- 
hurt, and  is  promoted.     I  am  very  glad." 

"  And  he  writes,  too,  that  he  shall  not  go  back  to 
service  after  the  campaign,  but  remain  with  the 
army,"  continued  Lohf eld's  daughter,  joyously. 
"  Then  we  can  be  married  at  once,  and  I  shall  be 
'  Mrs.  Corporal,'  "  she  added,  with  marked  empha- 
sis. "  But  here,  frdulcin,  I  have  something  for  you, 
too,"  she  whispered,  mischievously,  drawing  a  letter 
from  her  pocket.  "  As  I  met  father,  he  called  be- 
fore I  reached  him  :  '  Liesel — Master  Gerrald — '  " 

*'  What  ?"  cried  the  young  girl,  starting  up  and 
trying  to  seize  the  letter.     '*  From  him  ?" 

"Written  to  me,"  the  little  maid  went  on,  mis- 
chievously holding  the  letter  behind  her ;  "  he  is 
much  better,  the  fever  has  left  him,  and — " 

"  vShow  it  to  me — let  me  read  it!"  cried  Marie, 
with  flaming  cheeks.  And  Liesbeth,  with  a  beam- 
ing smile,  gave  her  the  letter. 

"  I  knew  it  would  please  the  baroness  ;  that's  why 
I  brought  it,"  she  said,  frankly. 

Then,  after  watching  her  young  lady  hurriedly 
unfold  the  sheet  and  scan  its  contents,  she  turned 
and  noiselessly  left  the  room.  vShe  knew  that  peo- 
ple prefer  to  read  such  lines  alone. 

Marie  read  with  a  throbbing  heart  that  he  had 


The  Opposite  House.  231 

been  seriously  ill,  but  was  now  better.     At  present 

he  was  in  the  E hospital,  but  should  return  to 

his  regiment  as  soon  as  possible  ;  that  the  armistice 
would  doubtless  be  followed  by  peace,  and  that  it 
would  give  him  infinite  happiness  to  return  home. 
And  here  at  the  end,  in  black  and  white — Marie 
read  the  passage  twice — three  times — were  the 
words  :  "  I  hope  Liesbeth  is  still  in  the  service  of 
the  baroness.  Ask  her  to  remember  me  to  both 
ladies,  and  present  my  greetings  from  the  enemy's 
country.     I  trust  all  is  well." 

Yes,  there  it  was,  in  large,  distinct  letters.  She 
was  not  mistaken.  So  he  thought  of  her,  was  con- 
valescent, and  perhaps  would  soon  return  ?  Ah, 
thou  merciful  Father  in  heaven,  with  how  many 
tears  of  gratitude  she  offered  thanks  for  this  mes- 
sage of  peace  !  Marie  laughed  and  wept  in  the 
same  breath,  pressed  the  letter  to  her  heart,  and 
was  on  her  way  downstairs  to  her  mother  when 
Verja  came  to  meet  her,  waving  a  newspaper  aloft. 

"  Peace  !  Peace  !"  she  cried,  breathlessly.  "  Thank 
Heaven  !     Here  is  the  dispatch." 

The  young  girl  stared  at  the  lines ;  the  printed 
letters  danced  before  her  eyes ;  she  could  not  grasp 
the  meaning  of  these  blissful  words. 

"  Rejoice,  Marie  !"  exclaimed  Verja,  wild  with 
delight.  "  Now,  thank  Heaven,  they  will  all  come 
home,  and  not  a  hair  of  Fritz's  head  is  hurt !     Out 


232  The  Opposite  House. 

witli  your  flag — quick  !  Every  street  is  filled  with 
banners  !  Do  you  hear  ?  They  are  just  ringing  the 
bells,  too!  Hurrah!"  And  passing  her  arm  around 
her  niece's  slender  figure,  she  drew  her  to  the  win- 
dow. 

"  Joy — nothing  but  joy  to-day  !"  murmured  Marie, 
with  clasped  hands,  and  for  the  first  time  the  full 
significance  of  this  message  of  peace  came  to  her, 
with  all  the  hopes  following  in  its  train.  She  re- 
joiced at  the  notes  of  the  bells  and  the  radiance  of 
the  spring,  as  she  let  the  folds  of  her  flag  flutter 
under  the  blue  sky.     Peace  ! 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

IN   THE    MILL. 

"  Look  alive  with  your  work  !"  ordered  Inspector 
Lohfeld,  swinging  his  hammer,  with  an  eager  glance 
around  him.  "  Here,  Josef,  hand  me  up  the  fine 
needles  ;  choose  the  thickest  bunches,  and  bind 
them  by  twos,  with  young  oak-leaves  between  or 
sprigs  from  yonder  holly-tree.  Zounds  !  This  will 
be  a  splendid  welcome  !"  And  he  again  dealt  a 
few  vigorous  blows  to  drive  the  nails  through  the 
green  boughs  on  the  door-posts ;  then,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand,  he  drew  back  to  enjoy  the 
whole  effect.  He  scanned  with  evident  satisfaction 
the  gayly-painted  shield  bearing  the  inscription 
shining  in  the  huge  wreath.  Lohfeld  himself  had 
wielded  the  brush  to  paint  the  "  Welcome  "  for  his 
young  master.  It  was  difficult  work  for  the  un- 
trained fingers,  but  he  finally  accomplished  it,  and 
now  the  interlaced  letters  gazed  down  at  him  like  a 
record  of  immortal  fame. 

[233I 


2  34  T^^^  Opposite  House. 

The  mills,  adorned  with  gala  decorations,  awaited 
the  coming  of  their  lord  and  master,  looking  very 
unfamiliar  in  their  festal  splendor.  On  the  sides 
of  the  entrance  rose  two  slender  masts,  visible  for 
a  long  distance,  twined  with  gay  garlands,  between 
which  were  various  coats  of  arms,  while  crossed 
banners  fluttered  proudly  in  the  z  \x.  A  thick  gar- 
land of  pine-needles  united  them  like  a  waving 
triumphal  arch,  bearing  in  the  center  a  shield,  which 
was  to  greet  the  returning  hero  from  the  distance. 
Every  door  in  the  court-yard  was  twined  with  green ; 
the  German  colors,  blended  with  those  of  the  coun- 
try, floated  from  gables  and  attic  windows,  while 
tall  oleanders  and  cedars  were  grouped  in  tasteful 
masses  around  steps  and  pillars. 

Even  the  old  well  in  the  court-yard  had  assumed 
a  holiday  aspect ;  small  pine-trees  concealed  its 
weather-beaten  roof,  and  bright-hued  paper  roses 
decked  it  here  and  there  amid  the  green  boughs  ; 
two  maid-servants  still  stood  talking  in  front  of  it, 
while  fastening  the  flowers  in  a  few  empty  spaces. 

Lohfeld  had  just  shouted  a  word  of  cheer,  then 
turning  to  his  door  again,  he  hammered  away  to 
his  heart's  content.  The  fuller  and  gayer  of  hue 
his  decorations  became,  the  greater  grew  the  zeal 
of  the  worthy  superintendent.  Liesbeth  was  stand- 
ing at  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  industriously  handing 
up  the  golden   bits  of  tinsel,  while  from  time  to 


The  Opposite  House.  235 

time  she  surveyed  the  work  with  the  air  of  a  con- 
noisseur, and  finally  asserted  her  entire  satisfaction, 
though  without  every  losing  sight  of  the  courtyard 
gate,  through  which  Corporal  Friedrich  must  pass  if, 
faithful  to  his  promise,  he  came  there  for  a  welcome. 

Her  young  lady,  too,  as  she  had  just  told  her 
father,  had  prepared  to  receive  the  troops.  Marie 
von  Rotterswyl  held  a  magnificent  laurel  wreath, 
adorned  with  a  blue  ribbon,  ready  for  the  victors — 
or  rather  for  one  of  them. 

And  now  the  hour  had  come,  the  fulfillment  of 
many  a  fervent  prayer  and  the  hope  of  so  many 
souls  whose  weal  and  woe  were  in  Gerrald's  hands. 
Hundreds  of  voices  shouted  a  welcome  from  the 
depths  of  loyal  hearts. 

The  adornment  of  the  courtyard  was  completed. 
The  workmen,  men-  and  maid-servants  stood  in  the 
center,  and  before  the  steps  of  the  owner's  residence, 
musicians  were  stationed  on  the  steps  themselves, 
and  in  front  stood  Inspector  Lohfeld,  with  his  wife 
and  child ;  then,  in  the  order  of  their  rank,  the  rest 
of  the  principal  employees. 

All  were  in  gala  dress,  with  a  little  bunch  of 
flowers  on  the  breast  or  in  the  hat.  Every  face 
wore  a  happy  smile,  for  each  was  animated  by  the 
same  feeling,  and  full  of  gratitude  to  God  for  having 
restored  a  master  whose  equal  it  would  have  been 
hard  to  find. 


236  The  Opposite  House. 

The  young  man,  who  was  honored  b}'  old  and 
young  with  sincere^love  and  devotion,  had  become 
their  protector,  their  support,  their  father. 

Lohfeld's  eyes  sparkled  with  pride  and  pleasure, 
as,  raising  his  toil-hardened  hand  with  an  eager  ges- 
ture,  he  explained  once  more  the  order  to  cheer. 

"  A  thundering  three-times  three  !"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Let  them  hear  it  as  far  as  the  city,  just  as  he 
reaches  the  entrance-gate,  and  when  the  carriage 
stops  we  '11  all  shout  together  :  '  Long  live  Master 
Gerrald  !'  and  I  '11  step  forward  and  deliver  the  wel- 
come. Liesbeth  will  hand  him  the  bouquet,  and 
we  '11  give  another  cheer — a  good  loud  one  !  And 
you  youngsters,  up  above,  are  to  sound  a  flourish  at 
the  beginning  and  end,  such  as  hasn't  been  heard 
in  the  city  to-day  !  The  best  the  brass  can  do  ;  do 
you  understand  ?  Zounds,  but  our  master  shall  hear 
that  his  millers  are  in  earnest!" 

Again  he  marched  up  and  down  like  a  general 
surveying  his  faithful  troops. 

Just  at  that  moment  a  boy  at  the  gate  shouted  at 
the  top  of  his  voice  : 

"  Look  out !  Here  he  comes,  and  two  others  with 
him !" 

The  news  flashed  through  the  waiting  throng 
like  an  electric  spark.  The  men  fell  into  position, 
and  Lohfeld  loosened  his  collar  and  rubbed  his 
hands  in  anticipation  of  what  was   coming.     The 


The  Opposite  House.  237 

flags  on  the  masts  fluttered,  as  though  waving  an 
impatient  greeting,  the  sun  laughed  from  the  blue 
sky  upon  the  green  leaves,  and  a  thundering  "  Hur- 
rah !"  thrice  repeated,  welcomed  the  handsome  offi- 
cer dashing  on  his  fiery  steed  through  the  open 
gate. 

He  paused  before  the  steps  and  waved  a  salute 
with  his  glittering  sword  ;  but  the  shouts  of  joy 
drowned  his  words,  and,  forgetting  rules  and  order, 
the  crowd  poured  forward,  surrounding  horse  and 
rider  like  the  waves  of  the  sea. 

Had  Gerrald  possessed  a  hundred  arms,  they 
would  not  have  sufficed  to  extend  to  all  the  hands 
outstretched  in  greeting  as  the  men  pressed  eagerly 
forward  to  hold  the  young  officer's  stirrup. 

"  Liesbeth,"  cried  Lohfeld,  suddenly,  grasping 
his  daughter's  arm,  "  the  master  is  wearing  your 
baroness's  laurel  wreath  !" 

And  he  pointed  excitedly  to  the  green  garland 
which  hung  around  the  officer's  neck,  and  whose 
blue  ribbons  twined  treacherously  across  his  breast. 

Liesbeth  gazed  at  it  with  clasped  hands.  Her 
little  face  beamed  brightly,  and  forgetting  every- 
thing around  her,  she  joyously  exclaimed  : 

"  Hurrah  !  Then  it  was  made  for  him  !"  and  with 
a  happy  expression,  she  offered  her  bouquet. 
"  Welcome,  Master  Traugott !" 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

AN   INTERLUDE. 

Aunt  Verja  was  standing  beside  Marie,  examin- 
ing the  blue-bells  in  the  young  baroness's  golden 
hair. 

"  Very  pretty, /r///r  /"  she  nodded,  gayly.  "You 
will  look  like  the  personification  of  woodland  poesy 
in  that  wreath.  I  '11  fasten  it  for  you  myself,  so 
that  every  little  blossom  will  show.  Sit  down,  little 
Alseide,  and  arrange  the  mirror  conveniently  for 
me.  Was  it  your  own  idea  to  wear  a  wreath  of  oak 
leaves  and  forest  flowers  to  welcome  our  brave 
soldiers  ?" 

Marie  glanced  up  into  the  Russian's  beautiful 
face,  and  answered,  smiling  : 

"  What  could  a  German  girl  choose  that  would  be 
more  fitting  than  the  colors  of  her  home  ?  I  think 
she  can  also  wear  them  in  the  ball-room.  Do  you 
suppose  Herr  Gerrald  will  be  there,  aunt  ?" 

She  was  handing  her  a  hair-pin,  and  Verja  noticed 
how  the  little  white  hand  trembled. 
[238] 


The   Opposite  House.  239 

"  I  hope  so  !  I  should  be  very  sorry  not  to  see 
him  in  his  uniform.  I  should  like  to  make  the 
young  hero  a  little  vain,  and  tell  him  that  it  is  very 
becoming.  There,  will  you  have  this  spray  fastened 
closer,  or  leave  it  loose  ?" 

Verja  leaned  back  and  looked  at  her  niece's  little 
head.     She  was  satisfied. 

Just  at  that  moment  some  one  tapped  lightly  at 
the  door,  and  the  maid  noiselessly  entered. 

"  Count  Raven  has  just  arrived  from  Frankfort, 
and  my  mistress  begs  the  ladies  to  come  down  as 
soon  as  possible." 

Baroness  von  Kartegg  adjusted  the  glittering 
gold  bracelet  on  her  arm  and  stepped  in  front  of 
the  mirror. 

"  We  '11  come  directly,  as  soon  as  Fraulein  Marie 
is  ready." 

She  stooped  to  arrange  the  pink-silk  folds  of  her 
train. 

"  Good  heavens !  Count  Raven  !"  cried  Marie,  in 
horror,  as  the  door  closed  behind  the  girl.  "  What 
does  he  want  now,  especially  this  evening,  when  he 
knows  that  we  are  to  attend  the  officers'  ball  ?" 

"  Tell  me,  Marie,  can  you  really  endure  Count 
Raven  ?"  asked  Verja,  suddenly  planting  herself 
before  the  young  baroness,  with  the  gaze  of  an  in- 
quisitor. "  Tell  me  frankly  and  honestly  ;  I  want  to 
know  the  truth." 


240  The  Opposite  House. 

"  No,  aunt — certainly  not !"  Marie  declared,  so 
promptly  and  sincerely  that  no  doubt  was  possible. 

''  Thank  God  !"  said  the  Russian,  with  a  sigh  of 
relief.  "  He  is  the  very  last  person  whom  I  should 
have  desired  for  a  nephew.  But  now  let  us  hurry 
down,  ch^rie.  I  'm  famishing  for  candied  fruit." 
And,  laughing  merrily,  she  took  the  blue  and  silver 
gauze  from  the  chair  to  wrap  the  young  girl  in  its 
misty  folds. 

Meanwhile,  "  my  son  Hasso "  was  pacing  from 
one  mirror  to  another  in  the  green  drawing-room 
below,  sometimes  scrutinizing  his  patent-leather 
shoes  and  sometimes  twisting  his  elegant  silk  hand- 
kerchief, which  was  strongly  scented  with  Flang- 
Flang,  around  his  hands. 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  sat  silently  on  her  chair^ 
smoothing  the  fingers  of  her  light  kid  gloves,  and 
occasionally  casting  a  swift  glance  at  the  young 
dandy,  who  now  stopped  before  the  piano,  opened 
it,  and  took  his  seat,  with  his  limbs  stretched  in 
front  of  him. 

"  Oh,  a  song  !"  The  old  lady  took  her  fan  and 
lace  handkerchief  from  her  lap  and  laid  it  on  the 
inlaid  table  at  her  side.  "  I  have  never  heard  you 
sing,  Hasso," 

"  Sing?  To  night  ?"  replied  the  count,  throwing 
back  his  head,  as  if  considering  the  matter. 
"  Really,  aunt,  I  'm  not  capable  of  it  before  a  ball. 


The  Opposite  House.  241 

I  need  repose,  mood,  inspiration  for  my  perform- 
ances, and  I  've  travelled  by  rail  to-day  from  Frank- 
fort to  D .     No,  aunt,   I  can't  sing.     I  would 

rather  play."  And  he  began  to  rattle  out  of  time 
the  notes  of  a  polka. 

A  smile  difficult  to  interpret  hovered  around  the 
lips  of  the  baroness  ;  the  most  bitter  irony,  mingled 
with  a  faint,  sorrowful  regret,  as  though  she  were 
bidding  farewell  to  a  beautiful  dream. 

The  portieres  softly  parted,  and  Verja's  radiant 
figure  glided  in,  holding  her  handkerchief  to  her 
lips  and  imitating  the  swaying  movements  of  the 
pianist,  whose  performance  crimsoned  her  cheeks 
with  suppressed  laughter. 

Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  shook  her  head  and 
turned  to  glance  at  Marie,  who  stood  slender  and 
fair  as  a  silvery  cloud  in  the  dark  velvet  framework 
of  the  portieres.  She  exchanged  a  mischievous 
glance  with  Verja,  and  then  threw  her  beautiful 
arm  tenderly  around  the  old  lady's  neck,  pressing  a 
loving  kiss  upon  her  cheek. 

Just  at  that  instant  Count  Raven  struck  a  few  bold 
chords,  let  his  outspread  hands  rest  on  the  keys  a 
moment,  then  rose  with  the  weary,  absent  smile 
with  which  great  artists  are  prone  to  respond  to  the 
plaudits  of  a  crowded  concert  hall. 

"  Bravo,  Count  Raven  !"  cried  Verja,  rolling  up 
her  eyes  with  simulated   rapture.    "Who  would 


242  The  Opposite  House. 

have  dreamed  of  experiencing  such  a  pleasure  so 
late  in  the  evening  ?  You  play  bewitchingly — a  mar- 
velously  beautiful  performance." 

Marie  pressed  her  handkerchief  to  her  lips  to  hide 
her  laugh  by  turning  it  into  a  cough.  Her  mother 
cast  a  glance  of  alarm  at  Verja,  whose  eyes  sparkled 
with  mischief ;  but  Count  Raven,  perfectly  assured 
that  the  praise  was  sincere,  bowed  graciously  to  the 
ladies. 

"  Good  evening,  madam.  I  kiss  your  little  hand, 
dear  cousin  !  Yes,  yes,  I  knew  that  my  polka  would 
please  you !  The  young  ladies  in  Frankfort  are 
fairly  bewitched  with  this  piece,  and  rarely  let  an 
entertainment  pass  without  persuading  me  to  go  to 
the  piano  !  So  you  are  in  full  ball-dress  ?  Superb, 
ladies,  superb  !"  and  with  evident  good  humor,  the 
heir  of  Raveneck  put  on  his  eye-glasses  and  scanned 
the  elegant  costumes. 

"  But  you,  too,  are  dressed  as  though  you  in- 
tended to  break  hearts  in  the  first  waltz.  Count 
Raven."  Verja  held  her  open  fan  before  the  laugh- 
ing face.  "  Do  you  intend  to  accompany  us  to  cele- 
brate your  cruel  triumphs  in  our  peaceful  capital?" 

"  I  really  meant  to  surprise  you,  ladies,  by  ap- 
pearing in  the  ball-room  to  request  a  dance  ;  but  it 
was  so  horribly  tiresome  in  the  hotel,  with  nothing 
but  lieutenants  and  waiters,  that  I  determined  to 
come  here," 


The  Opposite  House.  243 

"  Extremely  flattering  !"  the  Russian  protested  ; 
and  Marie  asked  gravely  why  Count  Hasso  had  not 
come  in  the  morning  to  witness  the  imposing  entry 
of  the  troops  ? 

With  what  often  seemed  malicious  enthusiasm, 
she  spoke  of  the  brave  fellows  who  had  left  their 
homes,  wives,  children  and  property  to  devote  their 
lives  to  the  service  of  their  native  land  !  She  had 
scattered  flowers  and  laurels  in  their  path,  and 
thrown  garlands  to  the  heroes  whose  breasts  were 
adorned  with  the  cross.  Meanwhile,  Count  Hasso 
had  sat  at  home,  training  dogs  and  playing  the 
polka  to  young  ladies. 

Verja  turned  to  the  baroness  ;  her  bright  face  had 
grown  strangely  earnest. 

"  Did  you  see  Herr  Gerrald  among  the  officers?" 
she  asked.     "  He  wears  the  iron  cross." 

"  Because  he  has  fought  like  a  hero,"  answered 
the  widowed  noblewoman,  in  a  very  harsh  tone. 
"  He  has  proved  that  the  blue  blood  of  the  Rotters- 
wyl  race  flows  in  the  veins  of  this  Prince  of  the 
Mill  also.  Count  Raven,"  she  turned  with  her 
head  held  haughtily  erect,  "give  me  your  arm,  the 
carriage  has  driven  up." 

The  servant  put  on  the  ladies'  cloaks,  and  Count 
Hasso  obediently  led  the  way  with  the  baroness. 

"  My  husband  will  receive  us  as  a  member  of  the 
ball  committee,"  whispered  Verja,  joyously.     "Just 


244  '^^^  Opposite  House. 

think,  Marie,  I  shall  dance  half  the  sets  with  Fritz 

to-night.     I  shall  be  jealous  of   him,  he   looks  so 

handsome  with  the  long  beard  he  grew  during  the 

campaign  !" 

Marie  followed  as  though  in  a  dream,  trembling  at 

the  thought  of  the  happiness  of  this  first  meeting. 

What  torture  it  would  be  to  utter  formal  words  of 

welcome  in  the  presence  of  the  multitude  ! 

*****  * 

The  spacious  ball-room  resembled  an  ocean  of 
light  and  splendor,  through  whose  countless  flames 
waved  the  joy-banner  of  peace.  From  the  vaulted 
ceiling  garlands  and  slender  green  boughs  twined 
around  pillars  and  pilasters,  fastened  by  escutch- 
eons and  military  emblems,  above  which  fluttered 
the  colors  of  united  Germany,  while  white  marble 
busts  of  heroes,  throned  on  pedestals,  were  sur- 
rounded b}'-  the  names  of  the  victories  which  had 
rendered  them  immortal  in  the  book  of  fame. 

Uniforms  of  every  variety  mingled  in  motly  con- 
fusion. Bearded  faces,  before  whose  eyes  so  short  a 
time  ago  war  had  unrolled  its  pictures  of  horror 
and  despair,  and  whose  gaze  now  rested  upon  the 
fairest  shield  of  domestic  happiness,  the  smiling 
faces  of  German  maidens. 

Near  the  door,  tall,  haughty  and  handsome  as  the 
statue  of  Mars  above  him,  waving  his  glittering 
sword  amid  the  green  leafage,  stood  a  young  officer 


TJie  Opposite  House.  245 

of  hussars,  who  was  frequently  accosted  and  be- 
sieged with  friendly  questions. 

At  last  she  arrived.  A  burning  flush  crimsoned 
his  face  as,  standing  motionless  among  the  group 
of  fir-trees,  he  gazed  at  her  lovely  features.  Yes, 
it  was  she — unchanged  in  beauty  and  grace — 
Marie. 

The  ladies  were  instantly  surrounded.  He  tim- 
idly approached  and  bowed  respectfully  to  Baroness 
von  Rotterswyl,  who  held  out  her  hand  and  wel- 
comed him  with  sincere  pleasure.  Traugott  scarcely 
recognized  this  gentle,  cordial  woman,  whose  lips 
wore  a  strangely  sweet  expression,  and  whose  hair 
had  suddenly  turned  white. 

Then  Gerrald  addressed  Verja,  and  at  last  reached 
Marie.  A  crowd  surrounded  her,  and  he  could  not 
utter  indifferent  words,  but  his  eyes  revealed  the 
passionate  emotions  with  which  his  heart  seemed 
bursting. 

" May  I  ask  you  for  a  dance,  baroness? 

Marie  looked  up,  and  he  read  in  her  blue  eyes  all 
the  faithful,  unfaltering  love,  all  her  anxiety  and 
grief  for  her  imperiled  friend,  all  the  rapturous  joy 
of  the  meeting. 

He  asked  for  the  first  and  last  dance,  then  was 
obliged  to  draw  back  and  make  room  for  his  com- 
rades, who,  with  many  compliments,  were  begging 
for  the  young  lady's  dancing  card. 


246  The  Opposite  House. 

Count  Hasso  also  requested  it, 

"The  german  already  engaged?"  he  asked,  in 
astonishment.  "  Why  didn't  you  keep  that  for  me, 
cousin?" 

"  Because  you  did  not  ask  me  to  do  so,  count,"  re- 
plied Marie,  laughing. 

"  Gerrald  ?  Is  the  name  Gerrald  ?"  said  the  heir 
of  Raveneck.     "  Von  Gerrald?" 

Marie  frowned. 

"  No — Herr  Gerrald,"  she  said,  curtly. 

"  Ah,  yes,  I  remember.  That's  the  mysterious 
Prince  of  the  Mill  with  whom  all  the  ladies  are 
said  to  be  in  love."  He  laughed  loudly.  "  I  hope 
you  don't  mean  to  dance  the  german  with  this  in- 
significant merchant,  Marie?" 

"  Herr  Gerrald  invited  me  for  the  german,  so  I 
shall  dance  it  with  him." 

"  A  pretty  business  !  So  I  've  come  all  the  way 
from  Frankfort  to  see  you  dance  with  a  Herr  Ger- 
rald !  I  supposed  you  would  naturally  reserve  it  for 
me.  I  never  make  engagements  in  advance.  It 
confines  people,  and  is  sometimes  annoying  after- 
ward. By  the  way,  I  rarely  dance  the  german  at 
all.  Ladies  are  too  ready  to  imagine  all  sorts  of 
things  ;  but  I  would  have  risked  it  with  you,  Marie. 
You  are  my  cousin,  and  what  you  may  be  some 
day — "  He  half  shut  his  eyes  and  shrugged  his 
shoulders    significantly.      "  Oh,  pshaw  !      Let   this 


The  Opposite  House.  247 

Herr  Gerrald  drop.  You  know  you  regret  your 
promise.     Where  is  this  miller-hero  ?" 

"  I  am  ready,  Herr  Gerrald,"  said  Marie,  at  the 
same  moment,  smiling  up  at  a  hussar  officer,  who 
silently  bowed  to  her,  and,  without  vouchsafing  the 
bewildered  count  another  glance,  she  entered  the 
ball-room  leaning  on  her  partner's  arm. 

"  Hail,  Thou  Who  Victory's  Laurels  Wearest " 
sounded  like  a  burst  of  exultation  from  the  hidden 
orchestra. 

"■  Aha !  So  that's  the  fellow !"  thought  Count 
Hasso,  opening  his  eyes  to  their  widest  extent. 
"  I'll  settle  the  miller  !"  And  turning  abruptly  to 
the  right,  he  crossed  the  hall  to  inspect  the  richly 
furnished  sideboard  in  the  adjoining  room.  Mean- 
while Traugott  and  Marie  were  dancing  the  polo- 
naise. The  music  was  loud  and  noisy;  the  surging 
sea  of  human  beings  around  them  laughed  and 
talked  till  the  sound  resembled  the  buzzing  of  a 
hive   of  bees.     Gerrald   bent    low    toward   Marie. 

"  Have  you  not  a  single  word  of  welcome  for 
me  ?"  he  asked  in  an  agitated  tone.  "Was  the  green 
laurel  wreath  flung  from  the  distance  your  only 
language  for  the  returning  soldier  ?" 

She  looked  him  full  in  the  eyes.  "  I  know  no 
words  which  can  express  such  a  wealth  of  heartfelt 
joy  and  gratitude,"  she  said  simply. 

"  Then  you  have  held  me  in  remembrance,  Marie, 


248  The  Opposite  House, 

have  cherished  your  pure,  sacred  love  for  me,  which 
I  had  believed  forfeited  and  hoped  to  regain  in 
death  ?"  he  whispered  with  passionate  fervor.  "  I 
had  imagined  a  different  meeting — not  here  in  this 
noisy,  glittering  ball-room,  surrounded  by  thousands 
of  curious  eyes  and  ears.  My  first  visit  was  to  be  to 
you  and  your  mother,  Marie,  from  whom  I  desired 
to  ask  my  greatest  earthly  happiness  !" 

Her  only  answer  was  a  look.  The  dance  separated 
her  a  moment  from  her  lover,  and  she  moved  smil- 
ing, with  bent  head,  as  if  in  a  dream,  in  the  line  of 
brilliantly  dressed  ladies. 

Figure  followed  figure  ;  acquaintances  addressed 
Marie  in  jesting  words  ;  Gerrald  often  shook  a 
comrade's  proffered  hand  as  they  passed  in  the 
dance.  It  was  impossible  to  talk  and  express  the 
emotions  of  their  overflowing  hearts,  as  they  mutely 
moved  in  the  glittering  train,  which  seemed  to  float 
on  the  jubilant  melody  of  the  National  Hymn.  At 
last  the  graceful  tangle  separated,  the  music  melted 
into  the  notes  of  a  waltz  and,  like  a  cloud  of  butter- 
flies, the  couples  hovered  over  the  smooth  floor. 

Traugott  led  his  partner  back  to  her  mother,  who 
inquired  about  his  long  illness  and  his  present 
state  of  health,  the  horrors  of  the  war,  and  the 
period  of  suffering  in  the  hospital ;  and  when  Marie 
was  claimed  by  another  partner,  the  handsome 
officer  took  the  seat  she  had  vacated  beside  the  old 


The  Opposite  House.  249 

lady,  and  in  his  deep,  musical  tones,  described  his 
experiences,  the  bloody  battle-field  and  the  meet- 
ing with  Heloise.  A  shiver  ran  through  the  limbs 
of  the  listener,  and  her  face  blanched. 

Question  followed  question,  until  the  young  man's 
white  brow  crimsoned,  as  his  companion's  proud 
lips  congratulated  him  on  the  cross  that  decked  his 
breast. 

Meanwhile,  Count  Raven  strolled  through  the 
hall  with  a  very  weary  look  ;  he  had  danced  an 
extra  waltz  with  the  daughter  of  the  Austrian  am- 
bassador, a  vivacious  little  blonde,  whose  acquaint- 
ance he  had  made  in  his  mother's  house  at  Frank- 
fort. Now  he  scanned  the  ladies  through  his 
eye-glasses  with  an  air  of  the  utmost  unconcern,  and 
then  gazed  about  in  search  of  Herr  Gerrald,  with 
whom  he  meant  to  settle  the  business  of  the  ger- 
man.  Just  at  that  moment  he  saw  the  person  of 
whom  he  was  in  quest  take  leave  of  Baroness  von 
Rotterswyl  and  go  to  one  of  the  open  windows, 
where  he  stood  looking  out  into  the  mild  spring 
night. 

The  heir  of  Raveneck  determined  not  to  miss  the 
opportunity,  and,  crossing  the  hall,  stood  the  next 
instant  beside  the  young  officer,  whose  slender  fig- 
ure towered  so  far  above  him  that  he  scarcely 
reached  his  shoulder. 

"  Excuse  me,  sir ;  you  are  Herr  Gerrald,  if  I  am 


250  The  Opposite  Hotise. 

not  mistaken  ?"  he  said,  with  a  patronizing  nod. 
"  I  am  Count  Raven — Raveneck." 

Traugott  bowed. 

"  To  what  do  I  owe  the  honor  ?"  he  asked,  eying 
the  boyish  young  dandy  with  evident  surprise. 

"  You  engaged  my  cousin,  Fraulein  von  Rotters- 
wyl,  for  the  german,"  Hasso  went  on,  in  a  drawling 
tone.  He  had  wiped  his  eye-glasses  with  his  hand- 
kerchief, and  again  placed  them  on  his  nose  to  scan 
the  young  hussar  from  head  to  foot.  "  I  have  come 
to  settle  the  matter." 

Traugott  could  not  trust  his  ears. 

"  Settle  the  matter?"  he  repeated,  doubtfully,  his 
face  darkening  under  the  count's  impertinent  gaze. 
"  Fraulein  von  Rotterswyl  knows  that  I  engaged 
her,  and  I  do  not  think  there  can  be  any  confusion, 
as  I  have  invited  no  other  lady." 

Count  Raven  smiled,  and  nonchalantly  twisted 
the  little  bunch  of  violets  in  his  fingers. 

"■  That 's  just  it,  my  dear  sir,"  he  said,  over  his 
shoulder.  "  My  cousin,  unfortunately,  is  aware  that, 
in  her  haste,  she  promised  a  dance  which — well, 
which  she  would  have  preferred  to  have  given  to 
some  one  else  !" 

He  uttered  a  short  laugh  and  ground  the  high 
heel  of  his  shoe  into  the  smooth  floor. 

Traugott  stood  facing  him,  with  his  face  blanched 
to  a  ghostly  pallor  and  his  tall  figure  drawn  to  its 


The  Opposite  House.  2  5 1 

full  height,  while  his  chest  heaved  with  his  laboring 
breath, 

"And  what  do  you  desire  of  me,  Count  Raven  ?" 
His  voice  sounded  icy  cold,  and  his  features  looked 
as  though  they  were  carved  from  stone. 

"  Dear  me,  surely  you  understand !"  said  Hasso, 
nervously.  "  Must  everything  be  told  down  to  the 
most  minute  detail  ?  My  cousin  requests  you  to  re- 
lease her  from  her  promise — voila  tout  I' 

"  Did  Fraulein  von  Rotterswyl  herself  send  you 
here  with  this  message  ?" 

Gerrald  did  not  stir,  but  his  eyes  blazed  with  the 
most  intense  excitement. 

Raven  flung  the  violets  out  of  the  window  with 
studied  carelessness  ;  then,  shrugging  his  shoulders, 
cast  an  insolent  glance  at  Gerrald. 

"  You  seem  very  hard  to  convince,  sir.  I  should 
think  it  would  not  be  so  incomprehensible  that  a 
young  lady  had  changed  her  mind — femme  rare,  as 
the  French  say.  Surely  you  must  know  that  best, 
as  you  came  directly  from  France." 

A  look  of  unspeakable  scorn  rested  upon  the 
frivolous  speaker. 

"  Then  Fraulein  von  Rotterswyl  prefers  to  dance 
with  you  ?" 

Traugott's  lips  curled  with  the  most  bitter  sar- 
casm. He  felt  an  impulse  to  laugh  aloud  in  his 
rage  and  grief ;  and  yet  no,  it  was  impossible.  Marie 


252  The  Opposite  House. 

could  never  have  inflicted  such  a  slight  upon  him. 
He  did  not  hear  the  count's  conceited  "  Certainly  ;" 
but,  with  a  hasty  step  forward,  stood  at  his  side, 
saying,  curtly  : 

"  Follow  me,  Count  Raven.  I  am  sorry  to  be 
compelled  to  say  that  I  must  have  Fraulein  von 
Rotterswyl's  confirmation  of  your  statement." 

He  led  the  way,  and  Count  Hasso,  biting  his  lips, 
followed,  muttering : 

"  Such  a  fuss  about  nothing  !" 

Marie  stood  talking  eagerly  with  an  elderly  officer, 
close  beside  the  group  of  fir-trees,  overtopped  by 
blossoming  oleanders  and  laurestinas,  which  con- 
cealed the  band  of  musicians. 

Marie  had  rested  her  arm  on  the  bronze  pedestal 
of  a  Germania ;  her  hand,  lightly  grasping  a  glittering 
fan,  was  relieved  against  the  metal  background,  and 
her  smiling  face,  flushed  by  the  exercise  of  dancing 
and  animated  by  her  large  blue  eyes,  was  raised  to 
the  bearded  colonel  as  earnestly  as  if  she  longed  to 
read  his  very  thoughts  ere  his  lips  uttered  them. 

Gerrald  advanced  and  bowed  formally  to  the 
speaker.  His  brow  was  dark  and  grave,  and  the 
glance  which  rested  on  the  young  girl's  face  seemed 
almost  unfriendly. 

"  Pardon  me,  baroness.  Count  Raven  has  just 
been  to  see  me,  and  I  have  come  in  person — to  hand 
you  my  dancing-card,  which  is  now  useless." 


The  Opposite  House.  253 

"  Don't  forget  tlie  Grand  Cross  in  the  german, 
frdulein  /"  said  the  colonel,  jestingly,  as  he  took 
leave.  "  I  am  proudly  anticipating  the  honor. 
Good  evening,  gentlemen." 

Marie  turned  to  Traugott  with  questioning  eyes. 

"  Your  dancing-card  ?"  she  repeated,  shaking  her 
head.    "  What  am  I  to  do  with  it?" 

"  Erase  your  name  from  the  german,  as  you  de- 
sired." He  spoke  quietly,  but  his  eyes  rested 
steadily  on  her  sweet  face. 

"  My  name  !  Don't  you  wish  to  dance  with  me  ?" 
She  looked  up  almost  terrified.  "Good  heavens, 
what  has  happened  ?" 

No,  those  sweet  lips  could  not  lie  !  A  burning 
blush  crimsoned  Gerrald's  brow.  He  hastily  moved 
a  step  nearer  and  asked  : 

"  Then  you  did  not  send  Count  Raven  ?" 

Marie,  her  lovely  face  suddenly  paling,  turned  to 
the  young  dandy,  who  was  unconcernedly  breaking 
off  the  green  needles  of  the  firs, 

"  Count  Hasso,"  she  said,  sternly,  "  there  seems  to 
be  some  misunderstanding  here.  Will  you  please 
explain  ?" 

"  My  little  cousin,"  replied  the  nobleman,"  you  look 
like  a  judge  sentencing  a  criminal.  It 's  really  ab- 
surd to  make  such  a  talk  over  the  trifle.  Tell  Herr 
Gerrald  yourself  that  you  prefer  to  dance  with 
me ;"   and  half  turning,  he  gazed  after  the   little 


2  54  "^^^c   Opposite  House. 

Austrian,  who  had  given  him  a  languishing  glance 
as  she  danced  past  him. 

Marie  looked  hopelessly  at  Gerrald. 

"  I  don't  understand,"  she  said,  clasping  her  hands 
anxiously.  "  Tell  me,  Herr  Gerrald,  what  does  all 
this  mean  ?" 

A  radiant  smile  brightened  the  face  of  the  young 
mill-owner. 

"  I  see  that  there  must  be  some  mistake  here,"  he 
said,  with  quickened  breath.  "  Count  Raven  came 
to  me  and  asked,  in  your  name,  a  release  from  the 
engagement  to  dance  the  german,  which  you  had 
given  too  hastily.  So  that  was  not  true  ?  You  did 
not  send  your  cousin  ?" 

"Good  heavens!"  she  exclaimed,  in  horror.  "I 
knew  nothing  at  all  about  it."  And  trembling  with 
indignation,  she  turned  to  Count  Hasso.  "  How 
could  you  have  made  such  a  mistake  ?  How  did 
you  venture  to  arrange  in  my  name  matters  concern- 
inr^  Avhich  I  never  had  athouQ'ht  of  consulting  von  ?" 

Hasso  threw  back  his  head  and  measured  Gerrald 
with  a  look  of  the  most  insulting  arrogance. 

"  Because,  Marie,  I  might  suppose  that  you  would 
prefer  to  dance  with  Count  Raven  rather  than  with 
Herr  Gerrald,  the  mill-owner." 

And  tearing  a  handful  of  green  needles  from  one 
of  the  trees,  he  tossed  it  scornfully  on  the  shining 
floor. 


The  Opposite  House.  255 

The  tall,  proud  figure  of  the  officer  of  hussars 
confronted  him.  The  cross  of  honor  glittered  on 
his  breast,  and  the  blue  vein  swelled  on  his  fore- 
head. 

"  Enough,  sir,"  he  said,  with  crushing  dignity. 
"  You  will  permit  me  to  give  my  answer  to  that  re- 
mark when  we  are  alone."  Then  turning  to  Marie, 
he  added,  with  a  sudden  change  of  tone:  ''An 
revoir  !     I  will  not  resign  my  claim  to  the  german." 

"  Alone  ?  That  is  a  challenge  !"  exclaimed  Raven, 
barring  his  way,  while  his  characterless  face  ex- 
pressed the  utmost  embarrassment.  "  A  duel  ? 
Ah,  charming — charming!  Ha!  ha!  ha!  Listen, 
cousin.  I  am  to  risk  my  life  for  your  sake,"  and 
again  he  uttered  a  laugh  so  loud  and  forced  that 
Gerrald,  with  the  utmost  contempt,  turned  his  back 
upon  him. 

"  I  did  not  imagine,  Count  Raven,  that  you  pos- 
sessed so  little  tact  as  to  discuss  such  subjects  in  the 
presence  of  ladies." 

"  Merciful  God !"  pleaded  Marie,  white  as  the 
marble  statue  at  her  side.  "  You  won't  take  the 
affair  so  seriously,  Herr  Gerrald  ?  Oh,  tell  me  that 
you  will  not  challenge  him  !"  Approaching  with 
clasped  hands,  she  gazed  with  mortal  terror  into  his 
gloomy  eyes.  "  Traugott !"  she  said,  softly.  "Trau- 
gott!" 

"Don't  trouble  yourself  about  it,  Marie.    The 


256  The   Opposite  House. 

whole  affair  is  absurd  !"  cried  the  heir  of  Raveneck, 
in  a  shrill  tone.  "  Farewell,  cousin.  It 's  a  mere 
bagatelle,''  and  tossing  his  head,  he  turned  on  his 
heel,  and  walked  carelessly  to  one  of  the  adjacent 
rooms.  He  had  plenty  of  friends  whose  finances 
were  always  at  a  low  ebb,  who  would  consider  it  an 
honor  to  fight  for  the  aristocratic  favorite  of  the 
Frankfort  society  dames.  Gold  rules  the  world, 
was  the  thought  with  which  Count  Raven  consoled 
himself. 

Traugott  gazed  earnestl}'-  at  Marie's  terrified  face 
and,  leading  her  to  a  divan,  he  sat  down  by  her 
side. 

"  Do  you  really  expect  me  to  let  that  arrogant 
boy's  insult  pass  unpunished  ?"  he  asked  quietly 
"  I  owe  it  to  this  uniform  to  let  no  speck  sully  its 
lustre." 

"  You  yourself  call  the  count  a  boy,  and  yet  wish 
to  judge  him  as  a  man  !"  vshe  exclaimed  wildly. 
"  Oh,  I  will  not  suffer  you  to  risk  your  life  again 
after  escaping,  as  if  by  a  miracle,  from  all  the 
perils  of  war !  Oh,  no  ;  promise,  promise  me  to 
keep  the  peace.  I  cannot  endure  the  thought  of 
being  the  cause  of  this  unhappy  quarrel." 

Tears  sparkled  in  her  eyes,  and  her  voice  was 
full  of  heart-rending  entreaty. 

Gerrald,  smiling,  tried  to  soothe  her. 

*'  The  count  must  beg  my  pardon,"  he  said, "  and, 


The  Opposite  House.  257 

so  far  as    I    can  judge,    I   am   quite   sure    that  he 
will." 

Just  at  that  moment  a  lieutenant  of  dragoons, 
who  had  been  searching  all  through  the  hall  for 
Marie,  approached  to  claim  his  partner  for  the 
Lancers. 

"  He  must  ask  your  pardon  ;  that  is  the  only  way 
to  appease  you,"  whispered  the  young  girl,  hurried- 
ly. And  as  Traugott  bent  his  proud  head  in  assent, 
she  rose  with  a  faint  glimmer  of  satisfaction  on  her 
pale  face. 

"  Pardon  me,  baroness,"  said  the  dragoon,  his 
spurs  clanking  as  he  bowed  before  her.  "  I've  been 
searching  for  you  all  through  the  hall.  The  crowd 
is  tremendous.  Excuse  me  for  taking  away  your 
lady,  Gerrald !"  And  he  slipped  Marie's  hand 
through  his  arm,  and  led  her  swiftly  to  their  place 
in  the  Lancers. 

How  slowly  the  minutes  passed  !  The  dance 
seemed  endless.  At  last,  at  last,  her  partner  again 
offered  his  arm,  and,  with  an  expression  of  thanks, 
led  her  back  to  her  seat.  Marie  cast  a  hasty  glance 
around  the  hall,  and  saw  Count  Hasso  standing  be- 
side the  fragrant  orange-trees,  and  before  him,  half 
hidden  by  a  group  of  palms,  was  the  coquettish  little 
Austrian,  laughing  and  flirting,  the  one  thought  in 
her  pretty  head  being  that  the  man  before  her 
was  a  good  match. 


258  The  Opposite  House. 

Marie  drew  nearer.  The  heir  of  Raveneck  was 
offering  his  box  of  fruits,  and,  with  his  mouth  full, 
describing  how  one  of  his  trained  dogs  had  just 
gone  lame  in  the  left  hind  paw. 

"Aha,  little  cousin,"  he  interrupted,  "  you  must 
have  seen  my  box  in  the  distance ;  there  is  an 
apricot  on  top,  just  as  sweet  and  rosy  as  yourself  I" 
And  laughing  loudly  at  his  own  gallantry,  he  prof- 
fered the  boyibonniere. 

"Adieu,  Count  Raveneck  !"  said  the  ambassador's 
daughter,  tossing  her  head,  turning  up  her  little 
nose,  and  abruptly  greeting  another  partner  who 
approached  the  young  lady  with  a  low  bow. 

"  You  see  she  took  offense  because  I  made  you  a 
lover-like  speech !"  said  Hasso,  with  great  amuse- 
ment. "  Ha  !  ha !  little  Bella  thought  she  had  me 
in  her  pocket." 

A  shade  of  displeasure  clouded  Marie's  brow.  She 
declined  the  fruit,  and  said,  hastily : 

"  Listen  to  me  a  moment.  Count  Hasso.  I  want  to 
speak  seriously." 

"  Very  well.  I  suppose  it 's  about  the  duel.  Ha, 
ha,  ha !  Let  me  have  the  fun  of  giving  Herr  Ger- 
rald  an  aristocratic  bullet  as  a  souvenir  !" 

"  Herr  Gerrald  has  the  reputation  of  being  an  ex- 
cellent shot,"  whispered  Marie,  with  a  throbbing 
heart.  "  Perhaps  it  might  be  you,  and  not  he,  who 
would  be  the  victim,  Cojant  Hasso ;  and  then  think  of 


The  Opposite  House.  259 

the  despair  of  your  poor  mother  and  my  own  suf- 
fering for  having  been  the  cause  of  this  misfor- 
tune." 

The  young  dandy  threw  back  his  chest,  smiling. 

*'  Would  you  weep  and  mourn  for  me  all  your 
life  ?"  he  asked  cruelly. 

Marie  drew  farther  back  behind  the  green  boughs. 

"  Oh,  do  not  jest  about  such  things,"  she  cried, 
skillfully  evading  the  difficult  question  ;  "  think 
rather  of  how  to  save  yourself  for  the  world  and 
your  friends !  Why  conjure  up  the  bloody  scene 
which  may  have  consequences  so  serious  for  you, 
Count  Hasso !"  and  she  raised  her  clasped  hands 
beseechingly.  "  I  entreat  you  to  relieve  my  anxiety 
and  be  reconciled  to  Herr  Gerrald." 

"  If  it  will  relieve  you,  certainly  !"  replied  Count 
Raven,  in  the  blissful  hope  of  having  found  a  plausi- 
ble motive  for  arranging  the  disagreeable  business  ; 
"  but  1  don't  know  how  it  is  to  be  done." 

Marie's  eyes  sparkled. 

"  Oh,  there  is  nothing  easier  !"  she  cried  eagerly. 
"  Go  with  me  to  Herr  Gerrald,  and  tell  him  that  you 
would  be  sorry  to  be  misunderstood,  as  you  had  not 
the  slightest  intention  of  offending  him." 

"H'm,  that  might  do!"  said  Hasso,  laughing 
pleasantly.  "  He  did  entirely  misunderstand  me. 
The  whole  affair  was  a  mistake,  which  he  took  in 
the  wrong  way  !     But,  of  course,  I  must  tell  him  all 


26o  The  Opposite  House. 

this  alone — voiis  comprenez,  cousine  ?  On  account  of 
gossip  !"  He  twirled  his  box  of  confectionery  in 
his  hands,  keeping  time  with  his  foot  to  the  gay 
polka  performed  by  the  orchestra. 

"  Then  come  quick ;  I  '11  take  you  to  Herr  Ger- 
rald,"  urged  Marie,  in  an  agitated  tone.  And  Hasso 
obediently  offered  his  arm  and  escorted  her  through 
the  hall. 

A  pair  of  eyes,  flashing  with  anger,  followed 
them.  Then  the  fair-haired  Austrian  laughed  and 
gave  her  delighted  partner  a  rose-bud  from  her 
bouquet. 

Gerrald  was  still  sitting  on  the  red-cushioned 
divan  behind  the  group  of  fir-trees.  His  head 
rested  against  the  wall,  and  his  eyes  were  fixed  on 
the  huge  eagle,  with  outspread  wings,  which  held 
the  green  garlands  in  its  beak.  Hasty  steps  ap- 
proached, and,  like  a  vision  in  a  dream,  Marie  stood 
before  him,  followed  by  his  enemy,  Count  Raven. 

"  Herr  Gerrald  !"  said  Marie,  with  panting  breath. 
"  Count  Raven  is  seeking  you  to  express  his  regret 
for  the  misunderstanding,  which  was  not  intended 
to  convey  offense  to  you." 

"  Yes,  I  am  sorry.  It  was^  a  little  jest,"  Raven 
added  with  a  stupid  smile.  "  I  did  not  intend  to  vex 
you.  Let  us  think  no  more  about  it.  My  cousin  is 
frantic,"  and  with  a  cordial  "  Shake  !"  he  held  out 
his  gloved  right  hand  to  Gerrald, 


The  Opposite  House.  261 

G^rrald  did  not  seem  to  see  the  gesture.  He  had 
risen  and  stood  before  the  young  man  with  an  air 
of  haughty  reserve. 

"You  apologize  for  your  want  of  tact?"  he  asked, 
in  a  sharp,  curt  tone. 

"  Yes,  yes  !"  said  Marie,  hastily,  and  Count  Hasso 
bowed  his  head  in  assent. 

"  Quite  right,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  mingled  em- 
barrassment and  discomfort. 

"  I  am  satisfied  with  your  explanation,"  said 
Traugott,  after  a  brief  pause.  A  glance  at  Marie's 
blanched  face  calmed  the  angry  excitement  which 
the  count's  absurd  behavior  aroused,  and  turning 
from  him,  he  bowed  to  the  young  girl.  "  I  hope 
you  are  satisfied,  baroness." 

He  did  not  vouchsafe  the  hero  of  Frankfort  draw- 
ing-rooms another  glance. 

"  Then  everything  is  settled  ?"  Hasso  uttered  a 
sigh  of  relief.  "  But  in  arranging  this  affair  we 
have  entirely  forgotten  to  dance.  This  is  my  polka, 
cousin." 

A  flush  of  joy  crimsoned  Marie's  cheeks. 

"  I  thank  you,  Herr  Gerrald,"  she  murmured  from 
the  very  depths  of  her  heart,  and  then  accompanied 
her  impatient  partner  into  the  surging  human  sea 
which  filled  the  ball-room. 

The  german  was  drawing  to  a  close.  Gerrald 
brought  his  partner  the  fragrant  little  bouquet,  and 


262  The  Opposite  House. 

Marie,  with  sparkling  eyes,  fastened  the  order  on 
his  breast.  The  countless  lights  in  the  chandelier 
glittered  above  them,  while  the  sounds  and  scents 
around  them  seemed  like  the  joyous  greeting  of 
peace. 

"  And  I  may  come  to-morrow  ?"  asked  Traugott, 
with  beaming  eyes.  He  led  his  partner  back  to  her 
mother.     "  May  I  say  '  till  we  meet  again  ?'  " 

Then  a  pair  of  blue  eyes  smiled  at  him,  and  rosy 
lips  whispered : 

"  Till  we  meet  again." 

Count  Hasso  hastily  swallowed  a  glass  of  cham- 
pagne, and  leaned  thoughtfully  against  the  side- 
board. 

"  This  paying  court  is  a  risky  matter,"  he  thought. 
*'  I  '11  end  it  to-morrow.  The  poor  girl  suffered 
terrible  anxiety  about  me  to-night,  and  trembled  for 
my  life.     Well,  she  shall  be  rewarded." 

This  was  Count  Hasso's  resolve 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

HAPPINESS   AND    REALIZATION. 

Count  Hasso  sprang  into  the  carriage  and  drove 
off,  without  vouchsafing  the  venerable  gray  house 
another  glance,  but  sat  propping  his  chin  on  the 
gold  head  of  his  cane  in  silent  wonder,  trying  to 
understand  this  ninth  marvel  of  the  world — this 
fact  which  required  much  pondering  to  grasp.  He, 
the  heir  of  Castle  Raveneck,  the  irresistible  mortal 
for  whom  the  Frankfort  ladies  were  ready  to  go 
through  fire,  this  breaker  of  hearts  and  peerless 
singer,  the  wearer  of  a  coronet  with  nine  points, 
this  much-desired,  courted  and  admired  Count 
Raven,  had — been  rejected  ! 

It  was  almost  inconceivable  ;  and,  yes,  it  was  not 

quite  clear  to  himself.     He  did  not  exactly  believe 

it.     And  who  gave  this  mitten  ?     An  insignificant 

little  baroness,  who  positively  had  nothing  at  all 

except  an  aristocratic  name  and  a  pretty  face.     The 

[263J 


264  The  Opposite  House, 

iew  thousands  of  her  fortune  would  barely  furnish 
a  man  like  Hasso  with  pocket-money  ;  and  who  lived 
in  a  house — the  rejected  suitor  threw  back  his 
head  and  turned  up  his  nose — which  was  almost  de- 
voured by  wood-worms,  and  might  be  expected  to 
fall  clattering  about  the  occupants'  heads  at  any 
moment.  He  would  not  have  expected  his  groom 
to  live  in  such  an  antiquated  abode. 

Bah  !  It  was  merely  an  evidence  of  alarming 
narrow-mindedness,  inconceivable  folly,  which  could 
only  awaken  pity,  and,  at  last,  become  actually 
amusing  from  the  rarity  of  having  the  hand  of  a 
Count  Raven  refused. 

The  jest  would  excite  mirth  in  the  circle  of  his 
intimate  friends  ;  they  would  laugh  and  congratu- 
late the  young  man  upon  having  escaped  the  con- 
sequences of  childish  haste  so  easily.  Or  would  it 
be  better  for  him  to  pass  over  the  matter  in  total 
silence  ?  But,  no  ;  she  might  boast  of  her  triumph, 
and  it  would  be  better  to  take  the  initiative  ! 

Hasso  angrily  pulled  the  photograph  of  the  coy 
lady  out  of  his  pocketbook,  and  gazed  at  the  lovely 
features  with  a  frowning  brow.  "  But  the  little 
witch  is  pretty !"  he  confessed  defiantly.  "  Con- 
found it !  The  very  first  time  I  have  really  fallen 
in  love,  to  have  such  a — "  The  sentence  ended  in  a 
sarcastic  laugh. 

"  What  will  mamma  say  to  it  ?  She  11  be  amazed. 


The  Opposite  House.  265 

consider  it  ridiculous — absurd.  And  here  these  mis- 
chievous eyes  look  at  me  as  though  they  wanted  to 
laugh  at  my  discomfiture  !  Deuce  take  them  !"  The 
heir  of  Raveneck  tore  the  picture  of  his  lost  love, 
and  threw  himself  back  among  the  cushions. 
"  Come,  we'll  forget !"  he  grumbled. 

His  box  of  candied  fruit  awakened  other  thoughts, 
and,  opening  it,  he  thoughtfully  bit  into  a  tempting 
apricot.  But  either,  for  the  first  time,  the  fruit 
was  poor,  or  it  was  his  own  mood — at  any  rate,  the 
beautiful  apricot  tasted  bitter. 

Meanwhile  Marie  von  Rotterswyl  was  standing 
in  her  tower-room,  pressing  her  burning  brow 
against  the  panes.  Her  temples  beat  and  throbbed 
so  wildly,  and  her  little  heart  seemed  as  if  it  were 
ready  to  burst  its  narrow  confines  and  fly  exulting- 
ly  to  meet  "  him."  The  room  was  so  sultry,  so 
oppressive.  She  opened  the  door  and  ran  down 
into  the  garden,  into  the  wide,  surging  sea  of  the 
fresh  spring  air,  beneath  the  radiant  sky,  past  the 
marble  statues,  by  the  yew  hedge,  till  at  last  she 
stood  by  the  little  pond. 

How  still  it  was  here  !  The  turf  was  glittering 
with  the  first  green  of  May  ;  fresh,  waving  blades 
of  grass,  amid  which  bloomed  the  white  stars  of 
the  daisy  and  early  primroses.  Hidden  far  be- 
neath, too,  were  the  sweet  violets,  which  sent  forth 
their  fragrance  on  the  soft  breeze  to  greet  her. 


266  The  Opposite  House. 

Marie  sat  down  upon  a  log,  and  dreamed  under 
the  whispering  boughs,  whose  silvery  catkins 
drooped  low  over  the  quiet  pool.  The  rusty  chain 
for  mooring  boats  lay  at  her  feet,  winding  over  the 
crumbling  marble  steps  down  into  the  mysterious 
depths.  The  yellow  leaves  of  last  year's  rushes 
bowed  rustling  under  the  hem  of  her  light-blue 
dress,  which  floated  around  her  like  an  airy  cloud. 

It  was  a  fair  picture,  the  slender,  girlish  figure 
beside  the  neglected  pond,  the  brown  water-grasses 
nodding  about  her.  She  looked  like  a  thoughtful 
nymph,  who  had  just  risen  from  the  glittering 
spray. 

How  much  the  curious  wrens  on  the  willow- 
boughs  would  have  liked  to  know  what  important 
thoughts  occupied  the  fair  little  head,  why  the 
mouth  smiled  so  bewitchingly,  and  the  eyes  were 
raised  heavenward  so  thoughtfully,  as  if  the  radiant 
sunshine  contained  some  vast,  vast  enigma,  whose 
solution  the  young  girl  could  not  grasp  ! 

Count  Hasso  had  called  a  few  hours  before,  and, 
with  a  very  important  air,  requested  to  see  Baro- 
ness von  Rotterswyl. 

Marie  did  not  long  for  his  society,  especially 
to-day.  When  she  was  momentarily  expecting  the 
coming  of  another,  who  absorbed  her  every  thought, 
and  whose  image  alone  hovered  before  her  eyes — 
a  tall,  handsome  officer,  whose  face  grew  radiant 


The  Opposite  House.  267 

as  he  reined  in  his  charger,  to  catch  a  wreath  which 
floated  down  to  him  with  fluttering  ribbons.  Ah, 
it  was  already  four  and  twenty  hours  since  she  had 
seen  him  for  the  first  time  after  their  long  separa- 
tion. What  a  flood  of  thoughts  filled  her  soul,  what 
a  longing  contracted  her  heart,  when  she  saw  Verja 
rush  so  joyously  into  her  husband's  arms  !  She 
could  rejoice  before  the  world  ;  could  express  her 
happiness  in  a  thousand  tender  words,  while  Marie 
still  stood  at  the  window,  gazing  intently  with  tear- 
ful eye  at  the  spot  where  "  he  "  had  just  bowed  his 
thanks  for  her  greeting  of  love. 

Ah,  what  would  happen  now  !  Will  no  sun  of  hap- 
piness ever  rise  ?  Yet  she  was  full  of  hope.  Her 
heart  was  overflowing  with  gratitude  to  God,  who 
had  permitted  his  return  home.  He  lives,  he  loves 
you  ;  do  not  despair,  my  heart. 

She  had  been  sitting  in  her  little  room,  thinking 
of  him  alone.  Then  her  mother  entered,  grave 
and  solemn,  as  if  she  were  come  in  the  name  of  the 
law. 

"  Marie,"  she  said,  abruptly,  "  Count  Raven  asks 
your  hand  in  marriage.  Will  you  give  it  to  him  ?" 

Alas,  it  seemed  as  if  a  violent  blow  had  shattered 
her  sweet  dream  !  What  answer  her  cry  of  terror, 
her  deadly  fright  made  she  knew  not ;  she  saw  only 
the  strange  tremor  of  the  old  baroness's  lips  as  she 
gravely  stooped  to  kiss  her  on  the  forehead. 


268  The  Opposite  House. 

"  And  why  do  you  refuse  the  count's  hand  ?"  she 
asked. 

Then  the  ardent  love  in  the  young  girl's  heart  no 
longer  knew  timidity  or  fear.  Like  a  deep,  long 
hidden  fountain,  which  at  last  bursts  all  barriers 
and  rises  to  the  light  of  day,  the  confession  poured 
from  her  lips,  swifter,  more  jubilant,  culminating 
in  the  rapturous  avowal :  "  I  love  /iim  alone  !"  And 
when  the  bonds  were  once  broken,  the  seal  removed 
from  the  timid  lips,  the  shrinking  child  had  no 
further  thought  of  silence.  Everything  must  be 
confessed,  everything  must  ring  in  her  mother's 
ears  ;  and  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  listened  with  an 
aching  heart  to  this  sacred,  long-repressed  fervor  of 
first  love — this  suffering  and  hoping,  fearing  and 
yearning,  and  mortal  dread  of  her  mother's  anger. 
And  as  her  child's  arms  clasped  her  neck  so  tenderly, 
as  every  word  found  an  answering  chord  in  her  own 
heart,  and  long-buried  memories  of  her  youth 
awoke,  the  very  last  barrier  of  pride  melted,  the  ice 
of  the  proud  soul  thawed  under  the  fire  of  love 
which  poured  so  resistlessly  from  the  lips  of  her 
child.  She  clasped  her  hands  in  a  swift  battle  with 
herself  ;  her  tearful  eyes  wandered  toward  heaven, 
as  though  she  were  bidding  farewell  to  a  long- 
cherished  dream  ;  then  she  clasped  her  daughter  to 
her  heart  in  benediction,  murmuring  a  short,  almost 
incredible  reply — that  she  should  become  the  wife 


The  Opposite  House.  269 

of  the  man  she  loved.  And  ere  Marie  could  utter  a 
word  of  gratitude,  her  mother's  tall  figure  had 
vanished  behind  the  door  to  give  the  waiting  suitor 
her  answer.  Even  now  the  baroness  would  not 
yield,  could  not  let  the  mask  fall  so  suddenly  and 
reveal  the  unhappy,  broken-hearted  woman,  whose 
whole  life  had  been  only  a  shield  to  hide  the  deep 
wounds  dealt  by  love. 

Marie  stood  alone,  dazzled,  almost  giddy  in  the 
presence  of  the  glow  of  happiness  which  had  so  sud- 
denly followed  her  suffering. 

Now  she  sat  beside  the  pool,  pondering. 

Meanwhile  Liesbeth  stood  at  the  door  of  the 
house,  gazing  down  the  street.  Suddenly  she 
shaded  her  eyes  with  her  hand  and  bent  forward. 
An  officer  of  hussars  was  striding  swiftly  over  the 
pavement,  his  spurs  clanking  as  he  moved.  The 
maid  recognized  the  tall  figure  and  knew  his 
errand. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Master  Gerrald  ?"  she  said, 
courtesying. 

"  Liesbeth,"  he  asked,  his  face  flushing,  "  is  Frau 
Ton  Rotterswyl  upstairs?" 

"  In  the  drawing-room,"  she  answered. 

"  And  Baroness  Marie  ?" 

"  Alone  in  the  garden,"  was  the  almost  mischiev- 
ous answer. 

The  young  oflBlcer  crimsoned  to  the  brow. 


270  The  Opposite  House. 

"  Liesbeth,"  he  said,  hastily,  "  I  once  did  you  a 
favor,  and  asked  your  father  to  let  you  go  to  the 
city.  You  told  me,  when  you  went  away,  that  if  you 
could  ever  render  me  a  service  in  return,  you  would 
be  ready.  Do  you  remember  ?  I  will  hold  you  to- 
day to  your  promise.  Show  me  to  the  garden  ; 
make  the  mistake  of  supposing  that  dot/i  the  ladies 
were  there — " 

"  I  understand,  Herr  Gerrald,"  Lohfeld  s  daughter 
nodded,  gravely.     "  Follow  me,  please." 

She  passed  through  the  corridor  and  led  the 
young  man  across  the  courtyard  into  the  garden. 

The  gravel  creaked  under  Traugott's  rapid  foot- 
steps,  his  saber  rattled  and  his  spurs  rang  on  the 
stones,  but  not  a  word  was  exchanged  between  them. 
Suddenly  Liesbeth  paused  and  cast  a  searching 
glance  around. 

"  I  don't  know  where  she  can  be,"  she  said.  "  She 
isn't  in  the  arbor ;  she  very  seldom  goes  to  the  lin- 
den walk.  But  stop  ;  she  is  probably  sitting  by  the 
pond.  This  way,  please,  Herr  Gerrald.  Yes,  I  see 
her  blue  dress  yonder  through  the  willow  boughs. 
Keep  straight  on  along  this  path.  It  will  lead  you 
there." 

"  Many  thanks,  Liesbeth,"  stammered  Traugott, 
evidently  trying  to  control  his  embarrassment.  "  I 
only  want  to  speak  to  Baroness  Marie.  We  'U  come 
directly  ;  but  I  would  rather  you  did  not  announce 


The  Opposite  House.  271 

me  to  Baroness  von  Rotterswyl  just  yet.  Many 
thanks,  Liesbeth;  you  're  a  good  girl."  Andhe  walked 
hastily  away  as  if  to  escape  the  incredulous  look 
with  which  the  "  good  girl  "  greeted  his  "  we  '11 
come  directly."  But  Liesbeth  was  discreet,  and 
only  said,  with  a  ludicrously  solemn  expression  : 

"  Very  glad  to  do  it,  Herr  Gerrald,"  turned  on  her 
heel  and  fairly  ran  back  to  the  house. 

*'  Friedrich,"   she   giggled    to    her    approaching 

lover,  "  the  '  pop  *  is  coming."  And  when  he  asked 

the  names  and  other  particulars,  she  laid  her  finger 

mysteriously  on  her  lips  and  murmured,  "  'St !" 
*  *  -x-  *  *  * 

The  rushes  were  whispering  their  monotonous 
song  around  the  dreaming  girl,  the  birds  on  the  wil- 
low-branch were  singing  low,  sweet  notes,  and  the 
outlines  of  the  fair  face  quivered  on  the  water, 
melting  into  its  own  golden  locks  and  blending  with 
the  dazzling  sunshine,  which  painted  its  reflection 
on  the  undulating  water.  Glittering  wings  flitted 
through  the  young  foliage,  and  the  timid  lizards 
darted  over  the  rocks  on  the  shore,  which  looked  as 
crumbling  and  moss-grown  as  if  they  might  tell 
tales  of  the  days  when  the  castle  fountain  had  stood 
here  m  the  place  of  the  pool,  and  from  its  cool 
depths  rose  the  nixie  to  tell  the  lovely,  high-born 
dame  of  the  marvels  never  before  beheld,  in  order 
to  draw  her  down  into  the  waves,  leaving  the  proud 


272  The  Opposite  House. 

halls  desolate,  until  they  slowly  crumbled,  thorns 
and  thistles  grew  over  them,  and  the  spring  be- 
neath hollowed  its  bed  among  them. 

Fleecy  clouds  drifted  across  the  sky,  and  a  red- 
and-white  streamer  fluttered  amid  the  distant  tree- 
tops. 

Then  the  sand  on  the  path  creaked,  a  dry  branch 
in  the  grass  snapped,  and  Marie,  startled,  raised  her 
head,  then  sprang  up  with  a  low,  exulting  cry.  He 
stood  before  her. 

A  burning  blush  flamed  in  her  cheeks  ;  her  dark 
lashes  drooped  in  charming  embarrassment ;  then 
rose,  revealing  eyes  beaming  with  delight.  She 
advanced  to  meet  him — then  paused  timidly.  Her 
rosy  lips  trembled,  but  found  no  fitting  words. 
What  was  she  to  say  ? 

Traugott  stood  smiling  down  at  her,  raised  his 
arms,  and  silently  extended  them. 

The  little  bird  on  the  bough  caroled  a  joyous 
love-song,  and  Marie  rushed  into  the  open  arms  to 
nestle  on  her  lover's  breast. 

"Traugott!"  she  murmured,  with  an  indescriba- 
ble blending  of  love  and  timidity. — "  Traugott !" 

The  sun  sparkled  on  the  water;  the  boughs 
swayed  above  their  heads ;  the  little  songster  sud- 
denly spread  its  wings  and  soared  upward  to  the 
blue  sky,  announcing  to  the  radiant  ■  universe  the 
new  yet  ever  old  story  of  binding  and  eternal  troth. 


The  Opposite  House.  273 

They  sat  together  on  the  mossy  trunk,  unable  to 
find  language  to  utter  the  feelings  of  their  hearts. 
Marie  leaned  her  head  on  the  young  mill-owner's 
breast,  listening  with  throbbing  pulses  to  the  un- 
familiar words  of  happiness  and  fidelity. 

Suddenly  she  started  up.  "  Traugott,"  she  asked, 
a  still  deeper  fiush  crimsoning  her  cheeks,  "have 
you  opened  my  memento  ?" 

A  line  of  pain  marked  the  forehead  of  the  hand- 
some officer,  gliding  like  an  icy  breath  over  his 
radiant  features. 

"  Why  do  you  remind  me  of  my  talisman  now, 
Marie  ?"  he  said,  almost  reproachfully.  "  Must  its 
memory  embitter  even  the  happiest  moment  of  my 
life  ?" 

The  young  girl  gazed  deep  into  his  eyes ;  then, 
with  an  almost  mischievous  expression,  answered  ; 

"  It  is  cruel,  isn  't  it  ?  And  yet  I  must  grieve  you 
with  it.     Where  is  my  amulet,  Traugott  ?" 

He  silently  unfastened  his  coat,  slipped  the  ribbon 
from  his  neck,  and  gave  her  the  untouched  secret. 

Marie's  face  blanched. 

"  This  ribbon  " — the  words  fell  from  her  lips 
like  a  cry  of  fear — "  this  ribbon  is  red — the  end  has 
drunk  your  blood  !" 

She  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck  with  sudden 
terror,  as  if  to  guard  her  lover  from  the  murderous 
bullet. 


2  74  ^^^^  Opposite  House. 

Then  her  fingers  broke  the  seal,  the  covering  of 
his  unknown  talisman  fell,  and  the  slender  white 
hand  was  held  out  to  him.  But  no,  he  was  dream- 
ing— it  was  impossible.  He  was  mad  to  believe  that 
this  was  his  cross — his  locket. 

Oh,  all  was  delusion — the  girlish  figure  before 
him  was  a  vision  of  his  fevered  brain,  and  the 
whole  scene  a  mere  illusion  of  his  crazed  fancy ! 
He  was  still  lying  in  the  gloomy  hospital.  Would 
he  not  wake  presently,  and — but  no !  The  fresh 
May  breeze  was  blowing  through  the  branches,  the 
sun  was  laughing  in  the  heavens,  and  the  young 
girl  was  Marie,  his  own  beloved  Marie,  who  held  in 
her  hand  his  locket,  his  cross,  which  the  lake  had 
swallowed  before  his  eyes  ! 

He  rubbed  his  forehead  and  stared  at  the  miracle 
in  her  fingers.     He  could  not  believe  his  eyes. 

"  Marie  !"  he  cried  at  last.  "  Am  I  awake  ?  Am  I 
out  of  my  senses  ?    Or  do  miracles  happen  still  ?" 

Marie  laughed  joyously,  and  pressed  the  treasure 
into  his  hand  : 

"  Here,  here,  take  it,  dearest !  It  is  your  own 
property,  which  has  so  long  accompanied  you  with 
my  love  and  my  blessing.  Oh,  look  at  it,  Traugott — 
your  locket,  your  flower,  your  precious  legacy  ! 
Surely  you  recognize  it,  only  you  don't  understand 
how  it  came  into  my  possession,  and  deem  love  so 
weak,  so  timorous,  that  it  cannot jvrest  its  treasure 


The  Opposite  House.  275 

from  the  waves.  The  lake  must  open  its  icy  arms 
when  the  voice  of  the  heart  commands.  The  depths 
must  yield  their  booty  when  a  faithful  hand 
demands  it ;  and  now  believe  the  miracle,  you 
doubter,  and  be  happy — happier  than  you  ever  were 
before." 

Traugott,  deeply  agitated,  gazed  long  and  ear- 
nestly into  the  beautiful  eyes  of  the  woman  he 
loved,  covered  her  little  hand  with  kisses,  pressed 
it  with  its  treasure  to  his  throbbing  heart,  and  again 
examined  the  genuineness  of  the  gift,  in  whose 
reality  he  could  yet  scarcely  believe.  But  here  within 
were  the  letters  of  his  father's  name  ;  here  still  lay 
the  white  flower  of  death,  uninjured !  Ay,  it  was 
indeed  his  precious  property  ! 

A  tumult  of  bliss  took  possession  of  his  soul,  in- 
toxicating him  with  its  resistless  might.  All  sor- 
rows were  forgotten,  all  darkness  merged  in 
dazzling  light ;  and  the  swift  alternation  of  grief 
and  joy  confused  him.  It  was  too  much  happiness 
all  at  once !  Then,  when  the  tumult  had  partially 
subsided,  when  the  young  man  passionately  pleaded 
for  an  explanation  of  the  miracle,  Marie's  sweet 
voice  described  that  night  on  the  lake,  when,  with 
Franz,  she  had  cast  the  net  for  happiness  and  drawn 
up  so  magnificent  a  prize  ;  the  unutterable  anguish 
which  threatened  to  overwhelm  her,  and  finally  the 
moment  when  she  again  held  in  her  hand  the  treas- 


276  The  Opposite  House. 

Tire  so  painfully  sought,  while  Traugott  listened 
as  though  to  an  incomprehensible  tale. 

"  What  can  have  become  of  that  ballet-dancer  ?" 
asked  the  young  girl,  pausing  suddenly  and  looking 
up  at  him  with  almost  timid  glance.  "  That  woman 
could  not  have  known  a  moment's  happiness  from 
that  hour,  or  she  never  loved  you  !" 

"  She  is  dead,"  replied  Gerrald,  in  a  sorrowful 
tone.  "  She  died  at  peace  and  reconciled  to  God 
and  the  world.  The  butterfly  flitted  through  its 
bright  summer  of  happiness,  and  enjoyed  its  short, 
bright  existence  ;  but  could  not  endure  the  winter  of 
want  and  sorrow.  She  succumbed  to  the  shadow 
which  she  herself  had  cast  over  her  sun." 

"Then  you  saw  her  again?  You  talked  with 
her?" 

The  young  officer  narrated  his  meeting  with  the 
will-o'-the-wisp  that  had  once  more  crossed  his 
path,  suddenly  beaming  with  a  milder  radiance,  and 
then  vanishing  in  eternal  darkness. 

"  She  remained  in  the  hospital  and  nursed  her 
former  lover,"  Traugott  continued,  in  a  tone  of  deep 
feeling.  "  She  never  left  his  couch  until  he  fell 
asleep,  and  then  she  glided  up  to  the  other  rooms, 
where  she  talked  and  jested  with  her  countrymen 
as  though  her  gay  laughter  could  belie  the  pallid 
cheeks  which  revealed  her  suffering.  I  had  forgiven 
her,  and  this  rendered  hej  r?lm  and  almost  gentle  ; 


The  Opposite  House.  277 

but  she  rarely  came  and  talked  with  me.  She  cared 
for  me  while  I  was  asleep,  and  I  felt,  as  if  in  a 
dream,  lips  pressed  to  my  hand,  upon  which,  when 
I  woke,  tears  were  glittering.  Heloise  coughed 
violently,  and  at  times  suffered  from  weakness  and 
weariness  ;  but  she  never  complained.  On  the  con- 
trary, she  consoled  Maurice  with  jesting  words,  and 
soothed  him  by  the  smile  on  her  pale  lips.  Sud- 
denly typhus  fever  broke  out  in  the  French  division, 
and  no  entreaty,  no  representations  could  dissuade 
Heloise  from  carrying  refreshments  to  the  sufferers. 
One  day  she  did  not  return.  She  herself  was  one 
of  the  first  victims."  1 

"And  the  French  cuirassier?"  asked  the  fair- 
haired  girl,  with  dim  eyes. 

"  He  has  returned  home  and  tends  her  grave  in 
the  distant  South,"  replied  Traugott,  gravely.  "  The 
unfortunate  man  had  scarcely  been  able  to  believe 
in  the  reality  of  his  happiness,  when  it  was  once 
more  cruelly  torn  from  him.  I  do  not  know  whether 
he  can  bless  the  sip  from  my  field-flask  which  kept 
him  alive." 

Marie  looked  up  at  him  with  tearful  eyes. 

"  I  have  been  unable  to  feel  aught  save  hatred 
and  contempt  for  that  woman,  and  since  that  hour 
on  the  island  in  the  park  I  have  wished  for  revenge 
on  her,  as  if  I  might  thus  buy  back  your  happiness, 
Traugott ;  but  when  I  learned  afterwards  how  great 


278  The  Opposite  House. 

a  loss  she  had  sustained  through  Brand,  how  she 
had  been  found  senseless  beside  the  empty  casket 
which  had  contained  her  diamonds,  how  constantly 
she  was  obliged  to  wander  through  the  world,  I 
could  not  help  pitying  her,  and  shuddered  at  the 
wild  life  which  brought  naught  save  storms  and 
which  bore  so  little  fruit." 

Gerrald  silently  bowed  his  head  and  gazed  at  the 
shining  dragon-fly  which  fluttered  restlessly  over 
the  water,  and  at  last,  with  weary  wings,  sank  into 
the  depths. 

"  Marie,"  he  suddenly  exclaimed,  pressing  her 
hand  to  his  lips,  with  a  loving  glance,  "  forget 
Heloise.  Do  not  suffer  the  first  shadow  to  pass 
over  our  sunny  happiness,  or  waken  by  her  name 
memories  which  should  now  be  forever  buried  and 
forgotten.  My  past  life  is  closed  to-day.  I  am  be- 
ginning a  new  and  promising  course,  and  when  I 
enter  your  mother's  presence  in  the  king's  coat, 
adorned  with  the  cross  I  have  so  lately  won,  please 
God,  she  will  not  refuse  me  the  hand  of  her  child, 
in  which  rests  all  the  happiness  and  confidence  of 
my  future  !  I  shall  remain  in  the  army,  Marie.  I 
have  learned  to  love  my  sword,  and  can  no  longer 
part  from  the  color  which  has  protected  my  treasure 
in  battle  and  danger.  Will  you  become  the  wife  of 
a  soldier,  dearest,  who  can  offer  you  laurels  and  an 
honorable  sword,  but  no  coronet  ?" 


The  Opposite  House.  279 

Marie  held  out  both  her  hands  with  a  radiant 
glance. 

"You  intend  to  remain  in  the  army?"  she  cried, 
exultingly,  in  an  outburst  of  delight.  "  Oh,  how 
pleased  mamma  will  be  !  Come,  Traugott,  let  us 
take  her  this  glad  news  at  once."  The  young  girl 
started  up  excitedly,  and  was  hurrying  through  the 
grass  and  sedges  ;  but  she  paused  suddenly,  ask- 
ing, almost  timidly  :  "  And  the  mills — what  will  be- 
come of  the  mills,  if  their  owner  is  away  ?" 

Traugott  smiled. 

"  Lohfeld  will  be  my  manager,  and  I  am  sure  that 
the  wheels  will  be  guided  by  a  faithful  hand.  True, 
it  will  cost  a  struggle  before  the  men  can  get  accus- 
tomed  to  the  new  idea  ;  but  no  matter  !  And  he  too 
must  yield,  though  it  is  hard  to  contend  against 
loyalty  and  devotion. 

"  Now  come,  Marie  !  Ah,  how  confident  and  bold 
I  feel,  with  your  cross  and  the  wonderful  flower 
again  on  my  heart !  I  could  dispute  your  posses- 
sion with  the  whole  world,  and  yet  I  dread  your 
mother's  glance.  Does  she  suspect  what  is  to  be 
asked  of  her?" 

"She  knows  all,"  whispered  the  young  baroness, 
"  and  awaits  your  coming  to  complete  my  happi- 
ness. After  the  long  winter  comes  the  spring,  and 
hearts,  too,  thaw  when  love  shines  faithfully  and 
ardently  upon  them.     You  will  scarcely  recognize 


28o  The  Opposite  House. 

my  mother,  Traugott.  She  is  no  longer  the  un- 
approachable woman  of  former  days,  but  my  loyal, 
tender  mother,  who  can  understand  her  child,  and 
who  knows  herself  what  love  is.  A  short  time  ago 
she  told  me  her  own  love-history,  and  I  perceived, 
with  tears,  that,  though  her  heart  had  been  embit- 
tered and  hardened  by  sorrow,  it  had  never  ceased  to 
throb  lovingly  for  me.  Do  not  ask  too  much  of  her 
at  first,  dearest ;  do  not  expect  her  to  show  you  a 
tenderness  which  she  often  still  denies  me.  Be 
content  with  her  friendship  and  esteem,  and  do  not 
forget  how  hard  it  is  to  embrace,  as  a  son,  a  man 
whose  family  has  always  been  the  object  of  hatred. 
Mamma  likes  you ;  your  uniform  will  raise  you 
still  more  in  her  eye,  and  at  least  relieve  her  of 
the  terrible  thought  of  being  compelled  to  marry 
her  child  to  a  merchant.  The  feud  between  the 
Gerralds  and  Von  Rotterswyls  was  too  deep  and 
had  endured  too  many  years  to  be  so  swiftly  for- 
gotten. The  formality  of  her  manner  will  also 
disappear,  when  she  sees  how  truly  I  love  you, 
Traugott ;  ana  when  she  has  once  accepted  you  as 
her  daughter's  husband,  it  will  not  be  long  ere  she 
treasures  you  in  her  heart  as  a  son." 

They  walked  along  the  path  bordered  with  yew, 
brushing  the  waving  tendrils  which  grew  so  lux- 
uriantly over  the  tall  stone  statues  that  they  were 
almost  hidden  beneath  the  leafage.      Their  fixed 


The  Opposite  House.  281 

eyes  stared  down  at  the  young  couple,  and  the  wind 

rustling  the  tops  of  the  ancient  trees  and  lightly 

stirring  the  dust  on  the  moss-grown  heads  brought 

a  mysterious  whisper : 

"  Wake,   thou    pallid  woman,  who  so  often  sat 

here  weeping !     Rise,  patient  Barbara  von  Rotters- 

wyl,  the  hour  has  come  for  whose  fulfillment  thou 

hast  prayed  with  a  breaking  heart ;  the  chasm  is 

filled,  and  to-day  a  great  festival  is  celebrated  in 

memory  of  you !" 

*****  * 

Old  Gretlis  sat  at  the  gable  window  of  the  vener- 
able Gerrald  house,  holding  the  thread  in  her  cold 
fingers.  Her  white  head  had  sunk  low  on  her 
breast,  and  her  eyes  were  closed  for  their  last,  long 
sleep.  A  peaceful  dream  seemed  hovering  over 
her,  for  her  lips  smiled — a  dream  of  wedding-bells, 
which  had  echoed  through  the  open  window,  and 
at  whose  devout  sound  she  had  arranged  a  little 
bouquet  to  carry  down  to  the  door. 

Then  she  had  welcomed  her  master's  young  wife 
to  the  home  of  his  ancestors,  laid  her  trembling 
hands  in  benediction  on  the  beautiful  head,  tottered 
into  the  spacious  hall  with  him,  and  looked  on  with 
beaming  eyes  as  the  young  wife  decorated  old 
Zacharias's  portrait  with  a  bridal  wreath,  and  hung 
the  picture  of  Baroness  Barbara  at  his  side.  It  was 
a  high  festival  in  the  life  of  the  faithful  maid-servant. 


282  The  Opposite  House. 

Then  she  again  sat  in  the  bow-window  room, 
busily  turning  the  wheel,  till  it  suddenly  stopped, 
and  the  thread  broke  between  her  fingers.  Old 
Gretlis's  shroud  was  finished. 

The  venerable  house  stood  as  solitary  and  silent 
as  a  tomb,  save  that  the  clock  on  the  wall  ticked  on 
till,  with  dull  strokes,  it  struck  twelve ;  then  the 
hands  stopped  with  a  sharp  snap,  like  a  cry  of  pain. 
Its  course,  too,  was  run. 

The  past  had  ended,  and  the  Book  of  Time,  in 
which  were  recorded  all  its  memories,  conflicts, 
hate  and  love,  had  closed. 

With  the  dawn  of  the  young  morning,  a  new 
day-star  rose  for  the  House  of  Gerrald,  pouring  its 
sunny  light  upon  the  branches  of  the  family  tree, 
and  making  them  put  forth  leaves  and  blossoms, 
and  grow  with  more  vigor  than  ever  before,  be- 
neath the  animating  breath  of  the  spirit  of  the  age. 
And  the  good  genuises  of  the  ancient  race  whis- 
pered, smiling,  in  Traugott's  ear  : 

"  Hail  to  you  and  your  House,  oh,  happy  Prince 
of  the  Mill  !" 

THE  END. 


A     HERO    OF    THE     SWORD. 

The  King  s  Gallant 

By  ALEXANDRE   DUMAS. 


"The  King's  Gallant"  is  deserving  of 
recognition,  in  that  it  is  not  only  a  noveliza- 
tion  of  the  earliest  of  Dumas'  plays,  but  it 
marks  a  distinct  triumph  in  his  career.     .     . 

If  this  production  is  full  of  the  rushing 
vigor  of  youth,  it  is  because  its  celebrated 
author  was  but  a  youth  when  he  penned  it, 
yet  it  was  the  stepping  stone  which  led  to 
that  upward  flight  wherein  he  was  speedily 
hailed  as  the  "  Wizard  of  Fiction."     .     .     . 

It  is  a  volume  full  of  action  with  a  strong 
plot  and  a  truly  masterful  deliniation  of 
character 


i2mo.  Cloth.  Price,  ^i.oo. 


STREET  AND  SMITH,  New  York  and  Londoji 


THE  STORY  OF  A  HOPELESS  LOVE. 

Tons   of  Treasure 

By  WILLIAM  HENRY  BISHOR 

Author  <?/■  "Detmoi,©." 


When  two  women  love  one  man  there  is 
usually  trouble  brewing.  Nor  is  the  story 
which  I\Ir.  Bishop  has  to  tell  an  exception. 
His  hero  is  a  manly  New  Yorker,  who  is 
fired  with  a  zeal  to  "make  good"  a  defalca- 
tion accredited  to  his  dead  father    .... 

In  quest  of  gold  he  visits  Mexico  and 
there  meets  a  dreamy-eyed  maid  who 
straightway  gives  him  first  place  in  her 
heart.  But  an  American  girl  has  already 
won  his  love.  It  is  a  pathetic  situation  and 
if  one  true  woman's  heart  breaks  before  the 
man's  mission  is  ended  who  is  to  blame  ? 

There  are  many  touching  incidents  in  the 
book,  but  none  more  full  of  pathos  than 
when  the  woman  who  loves  bares  her  soul 
to  the  woman  who  is  loved 

i2mo.,  Cloth.  Price,  $i.oo. 


STREET  AND  SMITH,  Neiu  York  and  Londo7i 


A  Book  Full  of  "Human"  Interest. 

QUEER    PEOPLE 

Bv  WILLIAM  HENRY  BISHOP. 

Author  <?/■  "Dktmold." 


Not  one  story,  but  a  number  of  charming 
storyettes,  terse,  snappy  and  absorbingly 
interesting 

There  is  a  delightful  pen  sketch  of  a 
woman  of  small  means  who  aspires  to  a  con- 
nection with  the  smart  set.  Her  attempts 
to  disguise  the  true  state  of  affairs  from  her 
out-of-town  friends  are  laughable  ;  but  the 
fun  becomes  tinged  with  pathos  when  she 
borrows  a  furnished  mansion  for  an  evening, 
and  a  rich  relative,  invited  to  dine  with 
her,  uncloaks  the  pitiable  fraud     .... 

The  promising  boy  and  the  fond  patroness 
are  the  chief  characters  in  another  brilliant 
characterstudy  in  "Queer  People."    .     .     .      - 

i2mo.,  Cloth.  -  Price,  ^i.oo. 


STREET  AND  SMITH,  New  York  and  London 


The  Story  of  a  Fight  for  a  Throne 

D'Artagnan,  the 
King  Maker  .  .  . 

By  ALEXANDRE  DUMAS. 


Written  originally  by  Dumas  as  a  play,  and  now  for  the 
first  time  novelized  and  translated  into  English. 

The  Philadelphia  Enquirer  says  : 

"A  pretty  love  story  in  which  the  debonair 
cavalier  falls  victim  to  Cupi  's  wiles  is  one 
of  the  interesting  threads  running  through 
the  book." 

The  Chicago  Record-Herald  says  : 

"It  is  singular  that  this  bit  of  romance  has 
been  suffered  to  remain  hidden  away  for  so 
long  a  time.  D'Artagnan's  manner  of 
winning  the  hermit  kingdom  contains 
enough  thrills  to  repay  a  careful  reading. 
The  story  oozes  adventure  at  every  chapter. ' ' 

The  Brooklyn  Eagle  says  : 

"It  is  a  strong  tale  brimful  of  incident 
from  the  moment  when  Cardinal  Richelieu 
dispatches  the  redoubtable  D' Artagnan  on  his 
king-making  mission  to  Portugal."     .     .     . 

i2mo.,  Illustrated.  Price,  ^i.oo. 


STREET  AND  SMITH,  New  York  and  London 


m 


